Secondary topics

[Cotterpin]

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I'm in the middle of rewriting secondaries for a few schools that I applied to last cycle (and got interviewed/wait listed at) and the essay topics haven't changed. Is it okay to use the same anecdotes over again? For example, for a greatest challenge essay, if I wrote about quitting smoking last year, could I just rewrite and improve on the same story for this year or are the schools expecting me to tell them about an entirely different challenge?

 

[jwilliams1993]

I would think it's okay to use the same story. If that's still your greatest challenge, it's your greatest challenge. Don't pick and choose stories based on what you think you're "supposed to" say. I would definitely suggest rewriting and reevaluating the stories and what you've learned from them. You're a year older and a year wiser, so they expect to see some more reflection. If possible, see if you can connect that story to the ways you've improved your application i.e. "my newfound willpower I discovered during my journey to quit smoking is what kept me determined to do well with such and such classes while still working at blah blah blah and shaowing Dr. Person at the blah center." idk something like that, but obviously not as forced lol

 

[Cotterpin]

Yeah.... I'm 34 years old and I quit smoking a long time ago. I do not have large changes in my self-reflection abilities over the course of a single year. I am still basically the same person I was when I was 33. But I will try. Thanks.

 

[CyrilFiggis]

I'm in the middle of rewriting secondaries for a few schools that I applied to last cycle (and got interviewed/wait listed at) and the essay topics haven't changed. Is it okay to use the same anecdotes over again? For example, for a greatest challenge essay, if I wrote about quitting smoking last year, could I just rewrite and improve on the same story for this year or are the schools expecting me to tell them about an entirely different challenge?

Did any of those schools give you feedback on your application? A few of mine did, so when I reapplied, I made a point if they had the essay space (usually in the plans for the upcoming year) to identify the things I've done to better myself and my application.

 

[Cotterpin]

Did any of those schools give you feedback on your application? A few of mine did, so when I reapplied, I made a point if they had the essay space (usually in the plans for the upcoming year) to identify the things I've done to better myself and my application.

Of course I talked about the things I've done over the past year. But I'm not asking about the "upcoming year" or "year off" essays. I'm talking about the ones that are like "what's your greatest challenge" or "what is a great passion you've had in your life." Those things don't change over the course of a single year.