So I’m a South African rising senior who will be applying to some top 20 colleges.
I read somewhere that one should avoid politics like the plague. Is it because it is cliché? (Oh, the irony)
I genuinely have a love for African politics and if I were to write about anything not incorporating politics those who know me would think it’s not my essay. I have national and international achievements in political writing and I’m involved in the national South African political scene so I think it’s appropriate?
College essays are there for you to show your interests and strengths; If you’re passionate about it, then go for it. What’s generally advised is to avoid preaching your political views.
African politics are fine – it is US politics where you run the risk of offending someone. But the point of your essay is to reveal more about your personality – consider telling a specific story vs a general outline of your interest in politics.
American politics is too risky an essay topic. South African politics are fine as long as you aren’t writing in support of Apartheid or continued cronyism/corruption.
Thank you for your replies!! I will be writing about South African politics. Is a story about how witnessing all the injustices that have happened and wanting to make a difference considered cliché?
I want to be the next president of my country. I also have a vantage point of South African politics I think no one else has as I’m a political advocate for a change in leadership. Will they think I’m being arrogant or insincere if I share that cause central to me being me is all the challenges I’ve faced and how that’s lead to politics?
I think you need to avoid broad, sweeping generalizations in your essay (it isn’t that kind of essay). You want to focus on something specific where your behavior is part of the story. The goal is for them to see what kind of person you are day-to-day – is there something about you that they can’t glean from elsewhere in your app that makes them want to add you to the group of students on campus?
You need to talk about yourself, not “politics in South Africa”. But “Why I want to become the next South African president and change my country on my way to that goal” is a fine topic since you already have qualifications through ECs, personal experience, and academics that “make sense”.
@MYOS1634@intparent thank you for your replies! I’ve written the first draft of the essay on a specific time where I was engaged in a political activity and I had a realisation that I can make a difference (excuse the cliché phrase).