Common App essay Option #1
This week , we will discuss the various common app essay options
The first and most popular option is:
1. 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.
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The advantage of this prompt is its open ended nature. Please note that your story need not be about your personal life. This is a great way to reveal something about your academic interests and aspirations. If you are interested in an esoteric or interdisciplinary subject like Artificial intelligence models of neural structures, this is your chance to talk about it.
Keep in mind that the essay is about your fundamental identity and your intellectual mindset. Show how wevents in your life have have shaped your interests.
Cliches to avoid:
Far too many Asian students talk about how their parents and grandparents lived simply and made sacrifices to educate the next generation. This is a swell worn cliche one should avoid, focus on yourself and not your family.
Another cliche is overcoming difficulties, unless these have shaped your intellectual interests in some way, avoid this. The essay should relate to academics directly For example, one student wrote about having a learning disability which made reading a challenge. However he was very skilled in working with his hands which is why he aspired to study engineering.
One way to keep your essay interesting is to allow for a focus and discussion of abstract ideas such as how you learn best when ir involves real world work rather than mer classroom activities.
I will be discussing the other essay prompts during the coming week.
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