<p>A school I am applying to poses the essay question of “What is the best advice you have ever received? Describe how it has helped you and how you have used it.”</p>
<p>In response to this, I begin my essay with a part about how books have always been a huge part of my life, and that it isn’t surprising that some of the best advice I’ve ever received is from there. The advice specifically is to “never let my schooling get in the way of my education” by Mark Twain. Do you think it is too much of a stretch to call that advice in the context of the question? Thanks for your thoughts.</p>
<p>I think that is advice, but I’d bet that a lot of other college applicants are using that quote. I see it pretty often in the context of essays.</p>
<p>Ah okay, thanks for the input. I’m not that worried about this essay. But in my Common Application Essay which will go out to schools I am definitely more interested in, I use this quote. I use it in addition to another quote from a more obscure source. Do you think that would be okay?</p>
<p>I think what’s most important is not the quote but how you tie it back to yourself. As many people on CC say, any topic can sound excellent, it all depends on how you write it.</p>