Which topic is better?

College Essays
1

It’s almost January 1st. For many of my common app colleges that is the deadline.

I have two topics for my common app essay that I’m debating between. I’ve written one but I haven’t written the other. This is the prompt I chose: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The two topics:

  1. I basically define how “ball is life” (yes, I actually use that phrase). I use it to reflect how playing basketball really kept me grounded when I moved overseas and how my determination to play (with soldiers, the varsity boys team and Europeans) defined who I am.

  2. My mother is severely visually disabled which made me take on a of responsibility in my family. I would also use this as a reverse metaphor (?) for how as her literal sight deteriorated my figurative and cultural view of the world was broadened. I would kind of say how it made me a more worldly person but also how my family kept me grounded and molded my personal values.

Time is running out please just tell me if either is horrible and/or doom me with admissions.

2

Lol, I think you should see whether the one you’ve written already is good before you consider writing another one unless you feel that you have time. The other topic could also be used for supplements if you haven’t done those, particularly about an obstacle or something that challenged you. But both ideas sound interesting.

3

Go for ball is life and keep it optimistic. It drew me in, so I’d say it could be the more interesting topic