<p>So I’ve already written a Common App essay for the “significant experience” prompt, and I plan to use it if I can’t write a better one by the time I have to apply to colleges. (The rate at which my writing skills improve seems mostly beyond my control.)</p>
<p>But I’m thinking about other things I might write about, and one thing that’s come to mind is how riding city buses by myself has helped me gain independence. </p>
<p>The story: This fall I’ll be a high school senior taking dual-enrollment classes full time at a university, and in August I’m moving about 50 miles away to live with my cousins, who live closer. I’ll ride the buses by myself every day to get up there, which is a big deal for me because I come from an extremely rural area and and never rode a city bus before. Can I write about this, or does it make me seem sheltered? (Six-year-olds ride those buses alone.)</p>
<p>You might think it’s better for me to focus on the whole experience of moving, but I don’t want to be too broad. Being too broad leaves little room for specific detail. I want to talk about the bus rides in particular because that’s what will affect me the most. </p>
<p>I went up this week to practice riding the buses and learn the route, so I have a good idea what it’s going to be like and I could start an essay if you think it’s a good topic.</p>
<p>(And don’t anyone link me to the “pitfalls” thread; I’ve already read it.)</p>
<p>I think it has potential. Just make sure to add details instead of descriptions, and show how it made you more adult. Your topic is definitely unique, and don’t worry about being sheltered. Not everyone has something earthshattering to write about.</p>
<p>I think it would be great if you could really get it down to a specific experience that you can describe. The best essays I have read tell a specific story, not a broad theme. So take us on a bus ride with you–why it started, where you went, what happened, what you learned, how you changed.
I think it has the potential for a great essay if you do it right!</p>
<p>If written well, it could be a fine essay. And yes, it does make you sound a bit sheltered, but also like you are ready to move on. Which prompt is the “significant experience”? I can’t find it on the list of 2013 prompts. To me this sounds like “Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.”</p>
<p>Oh, I’m sorry - the essay I’m considering writing is for the “transition to adulthood” prompt.</p>
<p>Another essay I wrote is for the “significant experience” prompt, by which I mean this (I thought it actually had the word “significant” in it…not sure why):</p>
<p>Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.</p>