is this good topic for my common app college essay?

basilmarket.com forums : Chat | 13 posts archived

thread starter mashdash7 Sep 10 2010 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

i want to start writing my common app essay today and i came up a topic - how i developed new skills over the years all because i had a mindset that i would learn something new these is just basic concepts. if you guys have suggestions to elaborate on this topic or make it more specific or what not, feel free. also, how long should the common app essay be ? (in terms of words)

gokuryu 09/10/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

idk. i just plan 2 write 'I'm Korean'

My Characters: MistahMong - 101 Bellocan Chief Bandit

pr3stig3 09/10/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Um, I don't really see how your topic will help portray what sort of person you are. Colleges want to know about you on a personal level. They don't want to know about your achievements, but rather, how your achievements came to be through your personality. And it should be roughly 500 words.

My Characters: FallenAsylum - 71 Bera Night Walker

Pie4TheSoul 09/10/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

What Fallen said. My sister has been doing college essays too. The people want to see why you're different; why you're better than the other applicants. Try to think of a topic that is more away from the cliche. My did one essay on narrow mindedness for example

My Characters: Pie4TheSoul - 115 Windia Hermit

mashdash7 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

ahh thank you that kind of cleared up things for me after further thinking, i came up with a new topic "my transition to life in new york after having lived in india for 6 years" is that a little better

AssaultRifle 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

If you write "I'm not American," you will get in for sure.

My Characters: ProSnype - 131 Scania Bow Master

wasdf 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] gokuryu : idk. i just plan 2 write 'I'm Korean' [/quote] Well then, you're accepted! Good day to you, sir. Looking forward to seeing you in the future!

My Characters: wasdff - 134 Scania Shadower

puzzles 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

As long as you make the essay say a lot about what kind of person you are, you'll be fine. Some people can make a really common essay topic work for them because they write the common topic in an uncommon way...if that...makes sense -.-

My Characters: PuzzlesV4 - 36 Mardia Crossbow Man

squaids 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

You have a very good understanding, I actually review personal statements myself on a student site and you've already clocked onto rookie mistake number 1. People list tonnes of crap that they've done but fail to convey what skills they developed. Back when I was applying I tried to tie together hobbies of mine, such as football helping me develop teamwork skills since I was applying for medicine, a hospital requires optimum coordination. I had also taught myself how to play violin which helped me learn of true dedication and motivation. Just try and get some words onto paper and then see.

My Characters: YourPenguin - 44 Bera Aran in Memory

mashdash7 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] squaids : You have a very good understanding, I actually review personal statements myself on a student site and you've already clocked onto rookie mistake number 1. People list tonnes of crap that they've done but fail to convey what skills they developed. Back when I was applying I tried to tie together hobbies of mine, such as football helping me develop teamwork skills since I was applying for medicine, a hospital requires optimum coordination. I had also taught myself how to play violin which helped me learn of true dedication and motivation. Just try and get some words onto paper and then see. [/quote] u say i have a good understanding but i made a rookie mistake? im sorry i am not sure exactly where u are trying to get at. or maybe im just interpretting wrong lol. this post seems helpful, i just have to understand ur message lmaoo

squaids 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] mashdash7 : u say i have a good understanding but i made a rookie mistake? im sorry i am not sure exactly where u are trying to get at. or maybe im just interpretting wrong lol. this post seems helpful, i just have to understand ur message lmaoo [/quote] I meant you've understood what rookie mistake number 1 is and avoided making it. I've gone through so many statements where people list crap like "Oh I built a hospital with my bare hands in Africa" but never say what skills they developed from the experience lol..

My Characters: YourPenguin - 44 Bera Aran in Memory

iElite 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO Its not a good topic because its a little dramatic and cliche. Write about something that is you. My common app essay is going to be about Halo.

My Characters: Elite00 - 104 Bera Hermit

Ramunesun 09/11/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] pr3stig3 : Um, I don't really see how your topic will help portray what sort of person you are. Colleges want to know about you on a personal level. They don't want to know about your achievements, but rather, how your achievements came to be through your personality. And it should be roughly 500 words. [/quote] isn't it like how your hardships or experiences shaped your personality? I guess the two topics are interchangeable

My Characters: Monoliths - 23 Windia Thunder Breaker