What should I write my activities essay on?

annaerhear
Sun, 23 Aug 2015 01:37:42 +0000

Hi,

I’m a rising senior who is trying to write her college essays. I came across this question in several colleges’ supplementary sections in the Common App:

If you could only do one of the activities you have listed in the Activities section of your Common Application, which one would you keep doing? Why?

This specific question was taken from the University of Michigan question section, but I’m sure everyone has seen a question similar to this (with a suggested word limit of about 100-150). My problem is, I’m not sure what to write about because I am planning to apply as a biochemistry major, but I only really have one extracurricular activity related to science. (I was a research intern at a lab over the summer.) However, I do not feel like I can write a good essay about my lab experience because I feel like I did more tedious work than meaningful research. However, I am very involved in music (band and orchestra) and I feel like I can write a good essay on that. Would it look bad if I applied as a science-oriented major but I didn’t reflect as much interest in science as in music in my essays or activities?

p.s. I love music, but I do not want to major in it, just so you know, although I am definitely continuing with it as a minor concentration or an extracurricular activity.