<p>If your essay is personal, detailed, and revealing–if your essay is so you that only you could write it–then it won’t be cliche.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if the essay mainly dwells on common knowledge, such as “Hard work pays off”, “I learned how to accept defeat”, “People are alike everywhere”, “Music can free the soul”, etc., then it might merit rethinking.</p>
<p>For good advice on essays, see [Essays</a>, Admission Information, Undergraduate Admission, U.Va.](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html]Essays”>http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html), and avoid writing a McDonalds or a Jefferson essay!</p>