<li><p>If I am incorporating a book, does it matter how well-known it is? The essay will be less coherent, I think, if the reader hasn’t read the book. Although, the book I am using is “A Separate Peace” by John Knowles (which I love). . .most adcoms will have read it, right?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it ok to discuss a flaw you have, if the essay is about how you are overcoming it (don’t worry, it’s not as cheesy as it sounds). Or is this a bad idea?</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li><p>Yes, that’s a well-known book. You can briefly remind the reader about it if necessary.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s ok to discuss overcoming flaws, but make sure that the essay is bottom-line positive about you.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Watch out citing A Separate Peace, it’s standard fare, and you are likely to write something that has been written a thousand times. Better to write something personal about youself.</p>
<p>It is not the topic, it’s what you do with topic.</p>
<p>Virtually any topic can make for a good, or poor, college essay.</p>
<p>In particular, any “standard” topic can make for a good essay. But, as pointed out above, the goal is to write something personal, detailed, and revealing. If the essay is mainly about * A Separate Peace*, if it’s something that lots of people could write, the essay won’t be helpful. On the other hand, though, if the essay is mainly about pineapple8907, and it’s something that only pineapple8907 could write, then the essay is likely to be helpful.</p>
<p>.</p>