I feel like I have read advice to avoid a mission trips as a topic for the personal statement essay because of the overused ‘‘I-learned-about-my-privilege-through-visiting-disadvantaged-people” narrative but my daughter has been given advice by a teacher to write about this. The trip was referenced only briefly in a draft essay about her love of meeting new people and the teacher advised her to focus the essay about her experience on this mission trip itself. Thoughts? TIA
If it speaks to her …not just that she likes meeting people but how she took advantage of the opportunity to learn, expand and grow (with examples)- then I think it’s fine.
It needs to be about her, not the trip.
I think at most schools, the essay is overrated - likely neither helpful or hurtful. So I wouldn’t over think guidance. If this subject truly excites her, then great .
Good luck.
Edit - then again, he says no bueno. But he’s just an opinion.
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I see you responded. I did add more. Sorry.
I keep my opinion but respect others think differently.
Thanks! That may have been where I had seen the advice to avoid. I couldn’t remember exactly where I read it!
I agree that the essay needs to be about her and not the trip. I do not agree with the teacher…if I am understanding correctly.
I think writing about her love of meeting new people can be a great essay!
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Mom of a kid that wrote about something they always tell you not to write about.
Where is she applying? I only ask because for Lizardkid, the essay wasn’t going to be a make-or-break part of his application. Most of his schools were safeties for him and he had a very strong all around application, so we kind of didn’t spend much time trying to dissuade him. If you think the essay is what is needed to put her over the top, then you might want to rethink it, but if it’s just going to be used as a writing sample, don’t stress about it. I’m a big believer in just getting something on paper and seeing where it goes from there. Maybe she’ll hate it and want to start over, or maybe she knows exactly how to refine it.
If you think the topic is really cliche, you can read it back to her and ask her if this could apply to anyone else on her trip. Anyone else on any mission trip? If so, it’s not personal enough and they’ve read dozens just like it.
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Hmm, one of his arguments against this is “First, this is one of the most common college essay topics that admissions committees receive.”. Really? I’d be interested to hear if this is true from the posters here who read admissions essays. I would just be surprised if even going on a mission trip is as commonplace as they make it sound (I get that this might be more common in some areas than others, but still..), and I assume not everyone who does so applies to college (or to one that requires essays).
I think the other points he makes are valid, but I think it’s possible to write about a mission trip and avoid the pitfalls he highlights.
Edit: I see he also talks about the “cliche immigration story”. Glad D19 didn’t see that, seeing as hers helped get her into her reach…
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Without knowing your race or where the mission trip took place, I would caution against making brown and Black people supporting characters to a white person’s starring role.
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This was sort of my daughter’s essay - using tea as a bridge to others instead of a mission trip.
Was it good or not ? No idea.
But she got into solid schools. And just graduated. Who knows how much the essay really impacts short of typos and grammar etc.
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I think you might enjoy this link to something Rick Clark wrote!
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She is black, but good call out =)
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Thanks
Rick Clark has a number of great blog posts, and also a terrific NPR interview he did. Maybe someone else knows where that is…and can link it!
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Here’s the link to his blog: Rick Clark – Georgia Tech Admission Blog
I agree that Rick Clark gives great advice, much of which is universal regardless of the school.
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Like many things, the answer is “it depends.” I think a brief mention of the trip as one of multiple instances describing her love of meeting people could be just fine.
CC does have experienced volunteers who offer essay critiques if your D is interested.
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This is good…and I think the mission trip might be mentioned
I would not overthink the topic. Either her original topic (meeting new people) or the mission should be fine, depending on how it is written. The mission topic might be easier, since it is so specific. The original essay might be vague but if she can pull it off, great. These essays are rarely make or break, in my view.
There are free essay readers here on CC (go to the essay section). She can show an essay reader both if she wants.