<p>This would be a pivotal point in the essay. I want to discuss my fears of public speaking and how I hope to overcome these fears at a particular college (through comedy clubs and the like).</p>
<p>I think this topic would make for a pretty effective essay, but I worry that admissions officers would only frown on applicants who aren't entirely comfortable in their skin. What do you think?</p>
<p>I think colleges would be more interested in how you are currently trying to overcome your fear of public speaking rather than how you the hope to overcome your fear in the future.</p>
<p>Telling adcoms you have an unresolved problem- but hope to fix it at their school- is always dicey. If you have to write about a problem, it’s more impresive to show how you overcame it. And remember, it’s show, not just tell.</p>
<p>Ok. I work for a radio station and this is pretty frightening for me, so I think I might discuss how I will continue to ameliorate these fears at a particular college?</p>
<p>If you think it’s an effective essay, then write it. I think adcoms might be impressed by a kid who can be introspective.</p>
<p>I think “evercoming stage fright” is done a lot. If you do a great job with a personal acecdote and give it a unique twist, you could do well with it though.</p>
<p>Post #2 says it all. </p>
<p>In an essay you want to tell them what positives you will bring to the campus.</p>
<p>Justina, I think your idea can make for a very strong essay, especially if you talk about your working for the public radio station and the activities you plan to undertake in college. It fits the “challenge you have overcome” theme very well. Talking about a weakness or area of difficulty projects a level of sincerity that doesn’t come through when students are just writing about their strengths. </p>
<p>My daughter wrote several essays that were self-deprecatory in tone - her essays were humorous, poking fun at her own foibles – but they also got across a sense of far-from-perfect personality. She did much better than anticipated with college admissions – and I think that the essays were part of the success. </p>
<p>Don’t be afraid of the “risk” essay - if well written, those types of essays often are far more effective than the one written by kids who are trying to play it safe.</p>