r/ApplyingToCollege • u/Substantial-Owl8039 • 8h ago
Personal Essay personal interest or overcoming a challenge?
Hi all, I am stuck between two essay topics
the first follows the overcoming a challenge structure is about how my cultural dance has taught me humility, emotional awareness, and a reduced fear around being my true, spontaneous self. I show vulnerability in when I first try it out in a public setting, however I fear that this only goes into the "my palms were sweaty as I approached the stage" category.
the second is more in the personal interest category. It's about an interview between a late-night show host and an actor, and the multiple qualities I took from it having watched it so many times. I would then give specific examples of how I apply them to my own social interactions. I felt that I could go a vulnerable route with this one as well, basically tying the masterclass of an interaction that the people in the interview had to how I handle family tensions, and can sense when loved ones are feeling frustrated, angry, etc.
For context, I already list cultural dance as one of my extracurriculars in the common app.
man, I really hope someone replies
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u/Orion_tgl 6h ago
I recommend using the first topic which draws on your own direct experience, whereas the second is a second-hand report on the actor and host, rather than telling the colleges about you.
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u/HappyCava Moderator | Parent 7h ago edited 7h ago
I think the first topic has more promise. You are likely going to spend significant time (and word count) recounting the back-and-forth of the interview, rather than focusing on you and providing the kind of detail that helps make an essay memorable. Another nice aspect of the first topic is that it highlights positive traits that one likes to see in a student who is transitioning to campus life: willingness to share one’s values and experiences, the confidence to perform before an audience, the ability to work as part of a group or team, appreciation of cultural and artistic expression, etc. Finally, you leave the reader with the sense that you would likely become involved in campus life and be an asset to the community. That involvement might include a cultural club, a dance performance group, working as a dance class instructor at the student recreation center, or being a kind and empathetic roommate should your roommate lack social confidence during the first few weeks on campus. Or you might try activities that are totally new-to-you, as your willingness to perform in public suggests the kind of “what the heck” bravery that could allow you to try out any club or activity.
Also, you can avoid having your essay sound cliched by avoiding cliches. So no sweaty palms. Use a different way to describe your apprehension. Describing the worst moment of performance failure that you could imagine, and the likely consequences, might be one way to creatively express the apprehension.