ohioguy218

My High School doesn't offer any AP courses. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I sought permission to independently prepare for and take AP examinations in order to prepare for the rigor of college work. Over the past two years, I have taken AP US History and AP US Government, earning respective scores of 4 and 5. Now, because of this, other students have begun to take the exams as well, and the school system is considering offering AP Courses.

Does this make for a fairly unique essay topic, or this more common/boring than I think? Any feedback or ideas?

1MX

Not really.. self-studying APs is quite common.
But if written well, it could make a fine essay.

Theotherguy

Yeah, fairly common occurrence.

Depends on your writing skill and how you make it out. Perhaps you could include someone who is telling you that you "can't" do it? An antagonist would make your accomplishment that much more appealing (and that much more cheezy).

ohioguy218

What about these other ones I've been pondering:

-I live in a rural, Isolated town in Appalachian Ohio with little diversity, and I was sent to represent my area at Boy's State. My group ("City") at Boy's State was the first time I had encountered real diversity, with many people of different races and beliefs. Learning from our diverse backgrounds, we worked together to come up with solutions to real-world problems and grew into a family. It was from this experience I learned the value of diversity.

-All of my life I have had a great interest in law. From an early age, I read John Grisham novels and watched legal thrillers, growing enamoured with the glamourous aspects of being a courtroom advocate. Beginning in Junior High, I began to work in a local law office. There, I learned that law was not all about courtroom theatrics, but instead about paperwork and thorough research. However, I embraced and found pleasure in these seemingly mundane tasks. I gradually gained more and more responsibility at the office, working up to the point where I did my own legal research, wrote briefs and pleadings, and even met with clients. I applied the skills I used from this setting in High School to lead my mock trial team to the state tournament, and I won outstanding attorney in every single trial. Thus, I plan to pursue the study of law after my undergraduate career.

-Write on a combination of subjects, establishing myself as a well-rounded person. Elaborate on my experience with pursuing AP courses on my own, my interest in law, and my success playing varsity tennis, and show how I have developed as a person from each of these undertakings.

I know it's sort of long ... but do you guys have any feedback

ohioguy218

Bump (10 characters)

rainmama

I think the law essay is your best option. It demonstrates how you have matured, become more realistic, and also allows you to showcase your achievements without it being a brag-sheet rather than an essay. Plus is relates to your future plans. The Boys State one just sounds a bit cliched.

hec2008

I agree with rainmama
While the boy's state essay could be great, it is still just one week out of your life. While it probably was a fantastic experience, the adcoms might think you were making more of a fairly common occurance than it was.

AC419

I vote for the law one

ohioguy218

Thanks for the input guys ... that's what my parents think as well. I'm working on it now, and I'm sure I will come back here for advice when I have a draft.

tom shen

good luck!

Schmoomcgoo

I think you should use all of these experiences to portray yourself as the guy who (***blank***). Fill in the blank with a theme that establishes an identity for you for the admissions officer who has to make a case for accepting you to the admissions committee. The AP independent study, the establishment of your diversity ideas (at Boys State, no less) and the law office experience are all examples of what a "go-getter" you are, but if you can make it easy to portray you as the (***blank***) guy, you are a shoe-in.