Hello,
I have already completed a few common app essays and I like most of them but I ultimately have to decide which one to pick. One of my favorite essays is a response to the prompt:
“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.”
I have written an essay about my passion for (American) football and how dealing with football-related stereotypes shaped my personality. I am a girl and play varsity football for almost three years now.
Football is a tremendous part of my life but since I am very certain that I am not quite good (and tall) enough for college football, I am wondering whether it is actually important for my application.
Do you think that I should focus on this topic or would you recommend picking one of the other essays I have written?
personally, i would definitely choose another topic. sports related essays are usually trite in nature, and many adcoms advise against them because of that. however, because you’re a girl, i’m not sure if that changes anything.
I love it! At first I thought “ho-hum” until I read you are a girl! What makes it great to me is that it is different and makes you stand out. I don’t know any girls who play varsity football! Make it about you and how it has shaped you and I bet it will be great. Personally I think its important to show yourself as “raw”, in other words the real you. Not the one you want everyone to see but it’s important to be honest an IMO, to be humble.
Write about something that shows your “passions”. This is what the reviewer wants to see. But also include since you can’t play at your university football team, maybe showing that you will be an active member of the university community by joining Intramural football. Lots of schools have men’s, women’s and co-ed flag football teams. Also when the reviewer starts to read your essay, you have like less then 10 seconds to show how your are different…so a strong opening does matter. So maybe something like :As a girl that “plays” high school football…You will immediately grab someone’s interest. If you can combine your passion with your study of interest and the school of your choice all the better. Remember, there was a girl last year that got into all the Ivy’s and her essay was on shopping at Costco!!! Show your passion!! Good Luck.
Thank you very much for all of your helpful answers. I have decided to write my main essay about a topic that I am even more passionate about but I might submit it as a supplementary essay to a few colleges.