Hey there, reader. I’m not a particularly ambitious person. At least, not in the way one would traditionally think. My ambition/goal in life is to have a life I’m happy to lead which I would describe as decent salary, a life where I can go out with friends, not have to worry about money too much, be able to do my hobby, etc. I guess, my ambition is to lead a common person’s life. I don’t want to cure cancer, I just want a life that I’m content to live. I’ve always been a ‘realist’ and a ponderer. I was thinking of including how there are days I see no point in all of this as we’re just on a rock floating through space, that we’re all just cogs in some unseen machine. However, there are other days that I’m more than happy to be a cog in said machine. If you can’t tell, I really REALLY LOVE to ponder about life. The fragility of life, the meaning behind our actions and such stuff. But, I don’t know if this sounds like an essay more about just ‘philosophy’, so I have also come up with another idea which is a few lines below this.
I’m debating writing about my tutoring experience. I’ve been tutoring since I was in grade 8 and am currently fresh out of high school. I used to get annoyed at my students when they’d get bored while studying and other similar stuff we’ve all done when we were students. However, in the last I’d say about a year or so, I’ve stopped feeling that way. Perhaps, it’s because I’m reaching the age I used to think of as ‘very old’. Now, I let them yawn, space out for a bit, push the academics aside for awhile and just talk about stuff they like, new TV show or a YouTube video for example.
Which one do you think is a better idea? Personally, I feel like the first one is more on the pessimistic side and I’m afraid AOs will find that off-putting. I’ve read on reddit and other forums that college essays are meant to introduce my world views, values and my way of thinking to the AO so that makes me think that first idea is good, too. I’m truly lost.
I don’t think AOs are looking for general philosophical musings. Here are the questions they are ask themselves (in my opinion): Do I want this person on campus? Will they contribute to the community? Will the professors be happy to teach this student? Will they bring something to the classroom?
If your essays can answer the above, they are good. The topic itself is less important.
Essays can be about anything. It’s all in how it is written and conveys who you are. I recently read a great essay about studying at McDonald’s. Other favorites were about Legos and blueberry muffins. I love your modest goals for life, which are after all the important ones. You would be surprised how many essays are about curing cancer! Pondering our existence on this “rock” is a common human experience and one that you could make interesting, but you would have to link it to the first idea of modest life goals of having “enough” and being happy. I can think of some ways to connect them…Make sure to write in a natural style as you have here.
Hey there, reader. I’m not a particularly ambitious person. At least, not in the way one would traditionally think. My ambition/goal in life is to have a life I’m happy to lead which I would describe as decent salary, a life where I can go out with friends, not have to worry about money too much, be able to do my hobby, etc. I guess, my ambition is to lead a common person’s life. I don’t want to cure cancer, I just want a life that I’m content to live. I’ve always been a ‘realist’ and a ponderer. I was thinking of including how there are days I see no point in all of this as we’re just on a rock floating through space, that we’re all just cogs in some unseen machine. However, there are other days that I’m more than happy to be a cog in said machine. If you can’t tell, I really REALLY LOVE to ponder about life. The fragility of life, the meaning behind our actions and such stuff. But, I don’t know if this sounds like an essay more about just ‘philosophy’, so I have also come up with another idea which is a few lines below this.
If I were an AO and you used this write-up as your essay, I’d admit you on the spot, lol. I was sold by “I’m not a particularly ambitious person”. Now that is original and would stand out compared to all the “leader” type applicants out there.
This first topic could make a really interesting essay. A life that one is content to live is itself a multi-layered concept: what does that mean to different people? What are the political and economic and cosmic circumstances that need to be in place for the most people to be able to achieve that?
I see it tying nicely to a discussion of philosophical themes like nihilism or utilitarianism, especially your own personal philosophy, and how you would bring that to your academic pursuits. Not sure what you want to study, but the world does always need more philosophers
Think about the message that you are sending to the reader. How would a reader react to the first essay topic ?
In my opinion, the first topic is risky if applying to highly selective schools.
Personally, I do not like the second topic either. To a large extent, the topic is irrelevant; the message that you are conveying to the reader is relevant. What do you want the reader to understand about you and will that understanding help your effort to get an offer of admission ?
Agree with the above – that an essay focused on not being ambitious runs the risk of rubbing admissions officers (particularly at highly rejective schools) the wrong way. If you try that essay idea out, I might put more of the focus on your interest in pondering and exploring the world.
IMO a college essay need not be a soul-baring exercise. The purpose of the college essay should be: 1) to say something positive about yourself that can’t be found elsewhere on the application and; 2) to give admission officers a reason to want to have you on campus. Consider your topics and any draft or outline with this in mind.
Sounds like venturing too far out of the norm - even if being genuine - would be a bad idea. Makes sense. Which is why I firmly believe that the essays are a waste of time for both parties
I mean, I do wanna makes changes in the world just not in the sense that most people instinctively think of when they hear ambitious. I don’t wanna go on to solve every problem in the world because that’s honestly impossible to achieve in my eyes at least but I’d love to help a less fortunate kid receive education. I know I won’t be able to solve world hunger or bring peace to every place in the world but I want to be able to make sure the people I can reach don’t have to go to sleep hungry.
Would it be a good idea to talk about specific professors or classes in essays such as: Tell us more about why this field of study at [college] appeals to you
You need to be careful with that because professors go on sabbatical and retire and classes previously offered sometimes get cut. If you base your response on really wanting to work with Professor X, but it turns out she’s retiring at the end of the academic year, your case is weakened. If you want to get specific, you need to do some additional research to ensure that X professor or X course will definitely be available to you.
