What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Common App Essay: How personal should it be?

Hi everyone! I'm starting to work on my Common App essay, and I was wondering how personal I should make it. Is it better to write about an emotionally significant event in my life, or should I focus on something more academic or activity-related? Thanks in advance for any guidance!

a year ago

Hi there! It's great that you're starting to work on your Common App essay. When it comes to the topic, the most important thing is to choose something that you are passionate about and that can showcase your unique qualities and experiences. Personal essays can be powerful, as they often reveal the writer's character, values, and growth. If you have an emotionally significant event that you feel comfortable sharing and can effectively convey how it has shaped you, then it might be a strong choice for your essay. However, if you prefer to focus on an academic achievement or extracurricular activity, make sure you still inject some personal aspects into your writing – colleges want to get to know you beyond your grades and activities. Ultimately, the topic you choose should be meaningful to you and allow you to tell a compelling story that will grab the reader's attention. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, so go with what feels right for you and your story. Good luck with your essay!

a year ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.