<p>My daughter HATES writing essays about herself. I suggested that she consider writing about her experiences as a theater tech person. She has done theater tech since 6th grade and it is the primary focus of her extracurricular activities since it consumes so much of her time. I figured it might distinguish her because of her desire to be backstage rather than on stage…My concern is that she definitely does NOT want to major in drama or anything having to do with theater. It has been much more of an avocation for her than possible vocation. I am thinking that she could put a spin on that to her advantage, showing what a well rounded person she is, which is true (she does not know what she wants to major in…has eliminated theater, foreign lanugages, math, business and anything med…but is interested potentially anything else in humanities, social sciences or sciences). She has done the whole gamut of tech stuff ranging from set design to lighting and on her last play was Assistant Crew Chief. This was in a large school where doing this is somewhat competitive. She even got hit in the head in the line of duty and after having gotten stitches, went right back to it without missing a beat. I also think that this type of activitiy which is very cooperative and collaborative in nature, and supporting others really defines the type of person she is; someone who is quiet, doesn’t seek the limelight but who keeps things running like a precision clock, dedicated, stronger than she looks (106 lbs, lifting heavy things and operating big machinery), works well with others…etc. She is particularly interested in Haverford where the tour guide said that their major tech person just graduated so there is a niche to be filled…so I am thinking this could be good.</p>
<p>That sounds like a good essay topic. I think it could turn out very well. If she doesn’t like writing about herself, a good way to start out is think of a certain experience in the field that was influential, and try to remember and be inspired by that moment again. Then capture that and put it on paper. Also, writing as if you’re just talking helps. It sounds like a good plan to me, and it’s fine that she is not majoring in that. I wrote an essay about how I originally hated my glasses and then grew to love them, for example. I know someone who wrote about cooking but isn’t becoming a chef.</p>
<p>Anyways, the best of luck to you.</p>
<p>SueMac - This is the PERFECT essay topic… But the trick is to NOT set out to write an essay. Instead, think about writing a single paragraph describing a single moment in her tech “career” that left a real impression on her (getting hit in the head? haha) and describe that moment… visually, with sounds, smells, feelings, etc. That’s not writing about her, per se, but about the incident. The goal is to write a evocative paragraph, not an essay (yet). See my thread <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/979752-easy-exercise-get-started-terrific-essay.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/979752-easy-exercise-get-started-terrific-essay.html</a></p>
<p>Then, that paragraph becomes the first paragraph of the essay and now that it’s begun, the rest will be easier.</p>
<p>Speaking of tech work, here’s a sample essay I wrote to illustrate the point (but I changed it to apply to tech work…). See how the first paragraph is just a description of the moment. (I still can vividly remember that moment when that girl came over to me with that pillow.)</p>
<p>*It was hot backstage, and we all were a little sweaty. It was the final dress rehearsal before opening night and the cast had Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People” down pat. I was the lighting technician and the first full dress had gone so well that a series of pranks and minor line changes had been planned as a practical joke on the director. Actors were busy with heavy period costumes and stage make-up, several spraying gray into their hair to make themselves look older than the students they were. The sounds and smells of preparation tinged the air and added to the excitement of the evening. The woman playing Petra, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Stockman in the play, came to me, already in her long, brown dress, holding a sizable pillow and some safety pins. She held out the pillow - a lumpy mass with a flowered pillowcase - for me to take. “Quick,” she said, with a conspiratorial grin, “help me pin this under my skirt.” I didn’t at first realize what she wanted me to do…</p>
<p>Even though I had helped with lighting before, this was was my first time in charge. I had visions of potential problems, prompting reviewers to point out that the play would have been a great success “except for for the lighting issues which singlehandedly sabotaged the night.”</p>
<p>I watched from just off-stage as Petra, wrapped in a cloak and hat and holding a bundle of books, awaited her initial entrance in Act I. On cue, she walked onto the set as her father said the line, “Good evening, Petra. Come along.”</p>
<p>Petra leaned over to settle her books onto a chair. She stood up, placed her hat on a rack, and began to remove her cloak. “And you have all been sitting here enjoying yourselves,” she said, “while I have been out being very busy.” The cloak dropped to the floor, revealing a very “pregnant” Petra!</p>
<p>The director’s face froze into place, but no one could continue with the play. Laughter overtook us all, cast and crew. And at that moment, all of my nervousness melted away and was replaced by a sheer sense of fun.</p>
<p>I never did feel a desire to be an actor, but that evening reinforced the fact that I was most at home working in the theater. That feeling was fed by the camaraderie of the people who all work together to get from a first reading to opening night. That dress rehearsal was the igniting of a passion for theater tech work that began with a lumpy pillow in a flower print pillowcase.*</p>
<p>I was thinking of suggesting that she might want to start with an anecdote about her getting bonked in the head.</p>