Help/Suggestions on the Common App Short Answer

GoldStarfish
Thu, 06 Dec 2012 19:24:31 +0000

Hey all,

I am an ambitious, somewhat insane senior attempting to apply to the Ivys and whatnot. I am primarily heading down the social sciences road, being immersed in activities like Speech and Debate and Model UN. Much of my essays revolve around Speech and Debate, including my Common App essay.

In order to diversify my essays, I wrote my Common App short answer on my piano playing. I have been playing recreationally for over ten years, and I am rather proud of the essay; however, I am worried that the essay will be slightly irrelevant in the broader scope of my application. While I realize that there is no proper formula to decide what one should write their essays on, I feel like it would be wiser to write about something that is more remotely related to social sciences/humanities and not a hobby in the arts. I am thinking of writing about my experiences in France (study abroad experience) and with French in general. I do not feel that this French essay could match the strength of my current Piano essay.

Sorry for the length of the post - here’s my question: should I consider writing my Short Answer on a more relevant subject than piano, or would staying with a well-written essay on an irrelevant subject would be sufficient/advantageous?

Thanks you guys

Edit: Oops, apologies. This thread was in the wrong place.

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