Acceptable Diversity Essay Topic?

[Lunistrella]

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I've been having trouble finding what I think is a good topic for a diversity essay. I'm essentially trying to answer the question "What's cool about you?" and most of my close friends (I've kept this hidden from almost everyone else) are very interested about a specific hobby of mine - I'm a big-time collector of Pokemon cards to the point where my name is pretty well known in the high-end collector's circle. I would stress in the essay that I treat the hobby as a business, as I use this as a small source of income, and have gained valuable knowledge about marketing, capital management, intelligent spending, risk vs reward, etc.

I'm a little hesitant to use this as my topic because I'm afraid Pokemon can be viewed as childish, even though the majority of serious collectors are successful adults, and I've learned quite a lot of what I feel to be translatable lessons through the hobby.

 

[femmegoblue]

I've been having trouble finding what I think is a good topic for a diversity essay. I'm essentially trying to answer the question "What's cool about you?" and most of my close friends (I've kept this hidden from almost everyone else) are very interested about a specific hobby of mine - I'm a big-time collector of Pokemon cards to the point where my name is pretty well known in the high-end collector's circle. I would stress in the essay that I treat the hobby as a business, as I use this as a small source of income, and have gained valuable knowledge about marketing, capital management, intelligent spending, risk vs reward, etc.

I'm a little hesitant to use this as my topic because I'm afraid Pokemon can be viewed as childish, even though the majority of serious collectors are successful adults, and I've learned quite a lot of what I feel to be translatable lessons through the hobby.

Personally, I think it's very cool IF you frame it in the having a business sense. You don't have to aggressively stress the Pokemon, but tbh it is unique and everyone has their thing. Now, if they essay specifically asks for cultural diversity (some do) I am not sure I would go this route. But for a "what's different about you", I say go for it.

 

[Lunistrella]

Personally, I think it's very cool IF you frame it in the having a business sense. You don't have to aggressively stress the Pokemon, but tbh it is unique and everyone has their thing. Now, if they essay specifically asks for cultural diversity (some do) I am not sure I would go this route. But for a "what's different about you", I say go for it.

Thanks for your input! I'm leaning towards writing about this for the "what's unique about you," unless somebody else has a strong argument against doing so.

 

[DokterMom]

Do you have other options?

Because as you note, collecting and dealing in Pokeman cards can be viewed as childish or feed into Gaming stereotypes. You will need to spin --

 

[doc05]

I would advise against this topic at all costs. It is a not a good stereotype.

 

[Med Ed]

I've been having trouble finding what I think is a good topic for a diversity essay. I'm essentially trying to answer the question "What's cool about you?" and most of my close friends (I've kept this hidden from almost everyone else) are very interested about a specific hobby of mine - I'm a big-time collector of Pokemon cards to the point where my name is pretty well known in the high-end collector's circle. I would stress in the essay that I treat the hobby as a business, as I use this as a small source of income, and have gained valuable knowledge about marketing, capital management, intelligent spending, risk vs reward, etc.

I'm a little hesitant to use this as my topic because I'm afraid Pokemon can be viewed as childish, even though the majority of serious collectors are successful adults, and I've learned quite a lot of what I feel to be translatable lessons through the hobby.

Forget Pokémon, this is "collectible Japanese memorabilia."

 

[Lunistrella]

@DokterMom I don't have that many other options. I haven't done anything else super stellar or different in terms of hobby, travel, etc., and I don't come from a background where I can talk about diversity in the more commonly used definition of the word. I did suffer an intracranial hemorrhage at the age of 13, which is something I was considering writing about (how it altered my perception of life), but through reading other threads decided not to as it may be too commonplace.

@doc05 What if I don't specifically say what the collectible is, as @Med Ed suggests?

 

[DokterMom]

@DokterMom
@doc05 What if I don't specifically say what the collectible is, as @Med Ed suggests?

Prevarication --

 

[doc05]

@DokterMom I don't have that many other options. I haven't done anything else super stellar or different in terms of hobby, travel, etc., and I don't come from a background where I can talk about diversity in the more commonly used definition of the word. I did suffer an intracranial hemorrhage at the age of 13, which is something I was considering writing about (how it altered my perception of life), but through reading other threads decided not to as it may be too commonplace.

@doc05 What if I don't specifically say what the collectible is, as @Med Ed suggests?

Be prepared to discuss anything you have included in your application. That would include whatever creepy hobbies you mention in your essay.

And if you do that, then also be prepared to re-apply next year.

 

[Med Ed]

@doc05 What if I don't specifically say what the collectible is, as @Med Ed suggests?

I was being somewhat facetious. Reread your initial post but exchange "Pokemon cards" with "Beanie Babies." Still sound like a good idea?

 

[Goro]

Concur.

Do you have other options?

Because as you note, collecting and dealing in Pokeman cards can be viewed as childish or feed into Gaming stereotypes. You will need to spin --

 

[musclebro]

I talked about Pokemon in an interview lol. It was with a fairly young guy tho.

 

[Lunistrella]

Okay, I have been successfully dissuaded. Going to try writing a few different responses on varying topics (one about my hemorrhage, one about diversity of international travel I've done, unsure what else) and see what sounds best. Thanks for the help everyone!