Would you submit a Common App essay that reaffirms what your recommendars have said..

Applying to College
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<p>or one that shows a different side of you, to round it out?</p>

<p>I am having the hardest time picking between two Common App essays.
One describes an extracurricular experience, and I show my quirky, funny side. I feel that this is more entertaining to read, but it is also personal, as it includes inner dialogue. The theme is taking risks.</p>

<p>The other is the influential person essay, and is deeper and more eloquent than the first. It shows my teacher's quirkiness and his passion for his work, as well as his compassion for others. I then talk about my parents, and how they are exceedingly practical, but how I've learned that practicality is best when balanced with passion. This one does a better job of reaffirming what one of my recommenders wrote (thoughfulness and sensitivity, awareness of others).</p>

<p>I'm considering splitting them up between the schools, depending on what the student body is like at the school. (Ex. Oberlin and Wesleyan get quirky writing. Haverford gets the person essay, since it matches with the school's sense of community. I'm not sure what to do about Cornell, Brown, Amherst, or Tufts.)</p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

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<p>Recommenders, oops. :D</p>

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<p>Yes, I have been told that it is good for your application to all tie together, I know my recs, and the majority of my essays, talk about achieving and pushing to complete my goals, both academic and personal.</p>

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<p>Anyone else?</p>

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<p>bump10char</p>

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<p>I vote either sending the quirky essay to all the schools or splitting them. Tufts and Brown should get the quirky essay if you do it this way. </p>

<p>Admissions people read tons of essays on influential persons. If you can give them a “fun” essay to read, I would say you could make a better impression, along with showing them another side to you besides seriousness.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I was leaning towards the quirky one.</p>