<p>which do you think will go over better? an essay about the intrinsic value one places on learning coupled with reasonably competitive scores or an essay about personal accomplishments/random topic that exhibits skillful writing coupled with competitive stats?</p>
<p>I’d say the second. I don’t know, the first topic just rubs me the wrong way for some reason. Then again, I’m not an adcom, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Telling them that you value learning isn’t as strong an essay as one that lets that shine through without beating them over the head with it.</p>
<p>Unquestionably option #2.</p>
<p>2 2 2 2 2…</p>
<h1>2-- the first one sounds extremely pretentious and ridiculously lame.</h1>
<p>Too bad I went for the first one:D Yeah right, #2 is definitely better, but I ended up in a case similar to #1. I deserve it for overprocrastinating and eventually having to compose an essay praising the value of learning in a state of semi-stupor.</p>
<p>I’d go with Option #2.</p>
<p>Though, in my essay, I talked about water balloon fights…</p>
<p>ok. what about this…presenting onesself as more of a student rather than someone who has already accomplished everything</p>
<p>I’m sure that, whatever we do, a thousand other applicants have done the same. I did the intrinsic value of learning to a certain extent, but only in the context of a different topic, and at the same time presented myself as an evolving person instead of a proven genius.</p>
<p>Whatever you write/wrote about, if you read it over when you finish/ed and say/said, “Yes, this is me,” then it was the right topic to address.</p>
<p>It’s a bit odd to read all these personal statement topics about your own achievements. I wrote about my younger brother’s struggles with ADHD and how he inspired me with his dedication. I felt that mine conveyed a lot about my own personality without focusing on me. Am I the only one who went down this route?</p>
<p>It’s trendy to write on the struggles of family members and close acquaintances (parents coming to new country, relatives with handicaps, example of grandparents during hard times etc.). It’s a perfectly valid topic. I really think it’s how you write about it, not the “it” itself, that counts.</p>
<p>If everyone was original, no one would be original, you see.</p>