I wrote about the death of my dad and there was an AO at the accepted students day at my top school who liked the essay and actually remembered details from it. I think that for the “off limit topics” it may be very hard to make the essay stand out, but it is definitely not impossible.
Hello Psywar,
I just wanted to thank you so much for helping me decide on my essay, I just finished my first draft. I did elect to write about the bottle caps, and I had so much fun doing it! I’m really hoping that this essay is like no other and will help me stand out during the admissions process. Thank you for your help again!
@AnthonyZ awesome, so happy for you! I really think the premise is solid.
Let us all know how it turns out for you!
Good luck!
AnthonyZ please do not take the advice you are getting on this thread. Write about what moves you personally. I cannot believe anyone is telling you that an essay about your mom’s cancer and your changed duties etc. is cliché. Please note the number of posts under each name to assess the experience of people who are advising you.
Do NOT try to be unique or stand out. This results in awful essays. Just be your self. Feel free to PM me if you like.
Well. OP said Ivies. Not an ordinary theme of “write something personal” for, say, the English teacher, who knows you.
The essay needs to be relevant to what attributes those adcoms look for. They’ll learn much about your thinking from the topic you choose, what you write, the point you make.
What do we think an Ivy adcom will think about collecting bottle caps, drinking a gallon of water each day for 8 months? What positive action among peers or IRL came from this? What attributes does it show? Or is it just quirky?
" how my mom was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago and how that changed my outlook on life, my preparation as a student, and my responsibilities…"
Show, not just tell. How can you show, rather than just claim this change? I don’t mean, you take care of siblings, shop, cook, etc. Those are important, but not factors in an admit decision. And too much emphasis on home responsibilities can imply you can’t leave family. Nor that your grades improved.
Same with the Russian anecdote. What about it will make them want to admit you? Many say to write whatever you wish, it’s your life. Yes. But if you want your life to include a reach school, figure out what works for them.
The essay isn’t just a look-back tale. It should give them an idea how you’ll be on campus, as an individual and peer, as a member of that community. (What you show. How are you now engaged, what impact do you now make.)
It’s more than tugging heartstrings, coming off as quirky.