What are Admissions Committees /really/ looking for in an essay?

College Essays
1

I’m debating between two essay topics, and both of them take a different tone and message. What I’m really wondering is what do adcoms really /want/ to read? What makes a standout essay? I’ve heard that humor and mundane events are pretty successful in capturing the reader’s interest among monotonous and cliched topics, but idk if that could be applied everywhere. There were a good amount of essays with a more solemn tone that were featured on Johns Hopkins’ “Essays that Worked” page as well. Maybe I’m overthinking this, but I’d like to hear some of your opinions.

Anyway, the topics I’m debating on submitting are:

  • a funny account of a mistake I made when volunteering in the hospital. I’m having a little trouble finding connecting my ‘moral of the story’ on this one. (CA #2, failure)
  • The reason I want to become an infectious disease physician when I grow up. This one has an anecdote in the beginning so it’s not as boring as it sounds. (CA #1, background/interest)

What do you guys think would be better? If any non-highschoolers would like to read my essays and give feedback, that would be great too.

2

Uh, both could be good. It depends what you want to convey; the second topic would be focused on your career goals, while the first would be saying something about your character. It also depends on how you write them. There really is no formula for writing a standout essay other than being authentic, “showing” instead of just telling, and going beyond the cliches, many of which only look at the surface-level impact of an event. I’d be happy to read any drafts that you have.

3

I disagree with the previous reply. Clearly, your second topic would be better.

4

@OnMyWay2013 I’ll PM you my essays. Thanks!

5

i’d be down to read your essay :slight_smile: