Unsure of which topic to write about

TellItToMe · 07-06-2008, 09:43 PM

I have a few ideas that I was thinking about using for the common app essay, so would anyone like to tell me which one would be a better topic? I also need help deciding which category these topics would fall into. Thanks!

ADad · 07-06-2008, 10:10 PM

Choose the topic that allows you to write the most personal, detailed, and revealing essay. The essay that only you could write.

Gabs91 · 07-06-2008, 10:39 PM

Choose what you're most passionate about. Try out each of the topics (start an essay) and see how it goes and which one you like and can write most passionately about. I did that and it really helped. If all else fails, put it in topic of your own choice

xybciba · 07-08-2008, 12:49 AM

It doesn't matter as long as you're genuine. I went to a campus tour and the lady at admissions said she once read an essay that started out: "What I learned about life I learned in the hot tub."

I know. It was about how the girl sang in the hot tub and realized she wanted to major in music. But the admissions ppl remembered it years after. Have your own voice and have people edit it. Try essay edge dot com.

TellItToMe · 07-08-2008, 08:48 PM

okay thanks everyone! I'm definitely going to try to make it as personal as possible, but something that will stand out too!

bluewatermelon · 07-08-2008, 08:50 PM

i had the same problem; i wrote about something so unutterably generic that you could have said that anyone wrote it. make it to be about YOU

Star* · 07-09-2008, 12:17 AM

Generic topics aren’t necessarily bad though, you can take the most generic topic in the world, write about your own experience with it, and suddenly it’s unique.

The best topic is usually the one you have the most fun writing, because that’s probably the one that means the most to you. Just put yourself on the page, and it’ll be great.

dchow08 · 07-09-2008, 02:34 AM

TellItToMe: Yeah, try to grab readers' attention. Then again, if you were really genuine and showed your personality, it probably would come out as very memorable.

bluewatermelon: I get what you're saying--the essay should tell the reader about you. I just don't want people thinking that the topic actually has to be about the writer. Wouldn't that be kind of humorous?

Describe a significant event. ME.
Describe an important person who has affected you. ME.