<p>So, basically my application’s hook lies in my common app essay.
1)Do universities give it enough weightage/equivalent to their personal essays?</p>
<p>2)The extracurricular essay for Princeton or Stanford. I have numerous other extracurricular activities but this one is pretty strong - the problem is, the activity is cricket! I was varsity captain too and have played nationals, but will a sport unpopular in the US make the cut?</p>
<p>3)I had another doubt…
Should I avoid repeating an activity already addressed in my application in the shorter essays, although in a different perspective?</p>
<p>People say a good essay can cure the sick but not raise the dead. As far as all your questions, my one friend told me at the schools she felt like she really was able to show her personality and get across the things she felt she really wanted to say, she got in. At other schools that she didn’t feel like she was able to hit that target as much, she didn’t get in. Also as long as you’re not just writing about cricket because you feel you should because it’s your impressive EC, I would say just go with your gut. I can’t help otherwise than that, because It’s <em>your</em> chance to tell them what you want to Best of luck!</p>
<p>In a word - Haverford! Best varsity college cricket team in the US. Also the only varsity college cricket team in the US. </p>
<p>It’s a seriously good school (Top 10 LAC, Ivy quality education), and you may be the only person in the country to be able to use cricket as a hook to get in. Might be a nice backup, especially considering you already seem to have the essays. You’ll just need to come up with one for the Honor Code.</p>
<p>To answer that specific question, no you wouldn’t be at a disadvantage. People usually try to pick diverse topics. Also these college admissions people are pretty smart- they probably know enough about cricket to appreciate your essay. If anything it would set you apart and make you a little more interesting instead of writing about football or something. Unless the school is big into cricket like Haverford as mentioned, it probably won’t make a big difference.</p>
<p>don’t be afraid to write about whatever you want for common app (try to keep the same one for all your schools, colleges recommend this). I think the key is to make sure that through your common app essay, they can get a feel of how you think and approach different situations. Really talk about whats going through your mind and what you are thinking and stuff about cricket and how it APPEALS TO YOU and why and HOW, etc.</p>
<p>end of story, dont make it superficial. just a suggestion i got from experienced people from the past. btw cricket is a great sport (im indian, i love it too haha) and its different from other stuff so it could help you, but it def won’t HURT you… most top schools have decent cricket club sports so they know its something that you would continue and its your interest. hopefully it helps the two of us… are u from india in india? or are u in the US but from india originally?</p>
<p>What about my 1st question.
Do universities give the common app essay enough weightage/equivalent to their personal essays?</p>
<p>Meaning should I mention about that activity in the school’s shorter essays (as its the core of my application)
Or not mention it again since it will just be repetition.</p>
<p>OP–it’s not as if admisisons committees assign a percent “weight” to the Common App essay–it’s part of the total package of the impression you make–all of your essays, your letters of recommendation, etc.</p>
<p>Cricket might actually make your application quite memorable–but then, as an international applicant, admissions folks might weigh your ability to pay tuition as well.</p>
<p>also, realize that each school–andeach admissions rep – is looking at applications through their own personal frame of reference and each weights things according to their own rubric.</p>
Best of luck!</p>