List of Unoriginal Common App Essays

<p>I’m starting a list of different Common App essays that are NOT original and you should stay away from unless you have something unique about it to add. Please just copy and paste what people have already written then add something else.</p>

<p>1) My trip to an impoverished country where I learned how lucky we all are.
2) How you scored the winning goal for your soccer team (or any other sport).</p>

<p>3) My opportunity to travel to Europe during high school</p>

<p>I suggest you read the college essays book by Harry Bauld</p>

<p>4) A list of my accomplishments (well, any student who knows what’s going on shouldn’t do this, but you’d be surprised how many do anyway)
5) My trip to an impoverished country, where I learned that the people there who live in straw-and-mud huts are no different from my family and friends back in Connecticut
6) Anything that relates directly to the college I’m submitting the essay to, especially how much I love it (at its best, this one sounds like brown-nosing; at its worst, it’s just creepy)
7) My noble ascent from Crudsville, Serbia and dreams of attending a great American school
8) Growing up as a minority and dealing with racism and prejudice</p>

<p>Ha - from reading other threads:</p>

<p>9) The death of my grandfather when I was 7 and how it affected my life
10) How I overcame an inferior high school
11) My 100 hours of hospital volunteer work where I learned how lucky I am to be healthy</p>

<p>12) Harry Potter changed my life.</p>

<p>13) This research internship I had for six weeks the summer before senior year defines who I am as a person.</p>

<p>14) The story of when I worked at a nursing home and found out old people had many of the same experiences I was going through. Ends up with kid wishing he could spend more time with aging people.</p>

<p>-------------------------------------------If it is to be, it is up to me…</p>

<p>Here’s a list from a college essay book:</p>

<p>On Writing The College Application Essay by Harry Bauld</p>

<p>Some of the most common snooze potions whipped up by seniors. Steer clear of these topics.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The Trip. This is one about the visit to Europe, Israel, Kansas, or other exotic land or wilderness trips such as Outward Bound.</p></li>
<li><p>My Favorite Things. This list essay is the unmistakable sign of what is called, in admissions lingo, a Fluffball.</p></li>
<li><p>Miss America. The Big Issue questions like “I think World Peace is the most important issue facing us today…”</p></li>
<li><p>Jock. This is not a topic, as a whole way of thinking. Through________ (football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, acting, yearbook editor, club officers, piano playing, spider collecting), I have learned Noble Value A, High Platitude B, and Great Lesson C.</p></li>
<li><p>My Room. A common variation on number two. “I don’t know what to tell you about myself, so I guess I’ll describe my room.”</p></li>
<li><p>Three D’s. “I honestly believe that I have the Discipline and Determination and Diversity of interests to succeed at whatever I do.”</p></li>
<li><p>Tales of My Success (or, The Time I Won My Town The Race). “But finally, when I crossed the finish line first and received the congratulations of my teammates, I realized all the hard work had been worth it. Why must all stories of sports, elections, and other “challenges” end on a note of Napoleonic triumph?</p></li>
<li><p>Pet Death. Maudlin descriptions of animal demise, always written by the Fluffball. “As I watched Button’s life ebb away, I came to value the important things in this world.”</p></li>
<li><p>Selling and Telling Autobiography. “Hello, my name is ______. I am a very unique person with many interests and abilities and goals.”</p></li>
</ol>

<p>@harborceal
DEAD. Internship six weeks before highschool is not that impressive, but all I have going for me. lolol</p>

<p>and thanks for that, @Lagging. Definitely a useful list. Not that I was gonna like, do something on it, but it still forced me to remember how I have no idea what I’m going to write >__>.</p>

<p>15) Why religion is the most important thing in my life.</p>

<p>Mmmgirl, actually, that’d be a good idea depending on where you’re applying. If the college has a religious affiliation, then it’s good, otherwise, religion and any controversial topic shouldn’t be written about.</p>

<p>Seriously like some of these are actually kinda ideal: like minority issue and Jock (not really jock could be nerd, geek, skater, normal kid, loner, etc.)
Honestly I don’t see a problem with them.</p>

<p>but
16.) How I manage to get a 4.0 GPA easily.</p>

<p>“How Harry Potter changed my life” actually sounds like a pretty interesting essay topic…</p>

<p>a few of these wouldn’t be bad if they were written well.</p>

<p>^ the problem is that they receive so many bad renditions, there’s a stigma attached to the topics. Or, on the other hand, a new perspective on an old topic might be something impressive enough to bump you over the edge… I guess it’d depend on the adcom.</p>

<p>Anyway, I’m definitely bookmarking this thread for future reference! I’ve yet to think of anything original for my essay, so this at least tells me what I should avoid!</p>

<p>MY MOM/DAD. </p>

<p>I really don’t like these types. Of course parents are such a blessing to us, but come on!!! You can surely write about SOMETHING else than your parent; you’re not trying to make the college adopt your mother.</p>

<p>First off, essay don’t have to be original, in fact, in top colleges, the people accepted write about things everyone do in Highschool such w sports, volunteering, schools clubs. You just have to show yourself through the essay.</p>

<p>You forgot- How I won the game by catching,throwing, pitching, sliding into base etc the winning point that gave my school the championship.</p>

<p>The anti-essay. </p>

<p>“This is an essay. I’m writing this essay. Right now, you’re reading this essay…”</p>

<p>Way to be quirky and unique</p>