Stuck (College Essay)

[I'm No Superman]

I am completely stuck on this essay

Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it.

I have no idea what to write about. I know that this essay is used to set you apart from other applicants, and show triumph over adversity, but I don't think I have anything significant to write about. I'm from the midwest, religious during Easter and Christmas, white, upper class, like all types of food, interested in medicine, sports, and business, and that's probably over half of Michigan. The only thing that I could think of is:

1. I'm a scout, soon to be eagle scout, and volunteer with many different charitable organizations, such as Scouting, Key Club, and Global Orphan Project. I haven't been to Haiti yet (December) but I have participated in a few fundraisers, and was in charge of one.

If anyone could help me out that would be great. One of my essays already deals with volunteering, so I'm not sure I should make this one about volunteering as well.

thanks

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[AntiHouseMD]

What about being a member of SDN? 😀

Let me think about it. What do you have for extracurriculars?

 

[I'm No Superman]

What about being a member of SDN? 😀

Let me think about it. What do you have for extracurriculars?

I don't want them to know I'm a gunner 😀.

My EC's aren't all that great, but here they are:

1. HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) We learn about different health care professions, education children about the importance of good hygiene, and raise money for various health related charities.

2. FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Take all of the health care out of the previous club, and put in business stuff.

3. Academic Decathalon: Learn facts and regurgitate them for judges.

4. Journalism: I hesitated about putting this one on here, because I am technically not in journalism, but I work at the local movie theater, and got my boss to allow them to screen movies and write reviews for the paper. Now I act as a representative of the theater by showing them where to go and what to do, as well as the movie times.

5. Work: I work at the local movie theater for about 15 hours a week.

6. Boy Scouts: Been in scouts since I was a kid, I volunteer a lot through them, and sometimes by myself. Eagle Scout to be completed Early November (hopefully before then so I can put it on my app).

7. Key Club: Volunteering.

8. Youth Group: Self explanitory

9. Fitness: Not sure if this counts, but me and a few friends started exercising after school every week (Insanity, if you know it). Not really affiliated with the school, but I guess it shows dedication and leadership, because you have to do it every day, and keep everyone else accountable.

That's about it, I did do Martial Arts for 8 years, but quit when the old instructor left because I didn't like the new guy...

 

[AntiHouseMD]

What was your essay about, exactly? Was it volunteering in general, or a specific club? If it was just in general, I'd think that #1 or #6 (more #1) would be a great option. You get to meet kids of several different backgrounds to help improve their health, etc.

More importantly, where was this? I don't remember seeing it as an essay for CommonApp, and it sounds more like a supplemental thing. What type of school you're looking at could also make a difference.

 

[I'm No Superman]

What was your essay about, exactly? Was it volunteering in general, or a specific club? If it was just in general, I'd think that #1 or #6 (more #1) would be a great option. You get to meet kids of several different backgrounds to help improve their health, etc.

More importantly, where was this? I don't remember seeing it as an essay for CommonApp, and it sounds more like a supplemental thing. What type of school you're looking at could also make a difference.

It's a supplement for UMich.

I was definitely thinking Scouts, because it's not as common as it used to be.

I talked about volunteering in: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).

and I talked about one single volunteer experience, so talking about volunteering in general might not be a bad idea.

It seems like Boy Scouts has the majority of votes, so I think I'll try that.

Thanks AHMD and Panda!

 

[AntiHouseMD]

It's a supplement for UMich.

I was definitely thinking Scouts, because it's not as common as it used to be.

I talked about volunteering in: Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences in the space below (1000 character maximum).

and I talked about one single volunteer experience, so talking about volunteering in general might not be a bad idea.

It seems like Boy Scouts has the majority of votes, so I think I'll try that.

Thanks AHMD and Panda!

No problem. Boy Scouts definitely seems like a good idea, given the fact that it encompasses a little bit of everything and will give you some great examples. It isn't too broad to clash with your app essay, yet not specific enough to limit how much you can write about it. Just be wary of the character thing. It actually does count. I remember editing mine (about my work with the local access channel) and having to edit it to get within the character limit.

 

[I'm No Superman]

No problem. Boy Scouts definitely seems like a good idea, given the fact that it encompasses a little bit of everything and will give you some great examples. It isn't too broad to clash with your app essay, yet not specific enough to limit how much you can write about it. Just be wary of the character thing. It actually does count. I remember editing mine (about my work with the local access channel) and having to edit it to get within the character limit.

I should probably double check that. I'm glad that my supplement applications have word limits and not character limits.

 

[Morsetlis]

Lol college essays.

Just put anything interesting down. College adcoms don't expect high school students to be paragons of eloquence.

 

[AntiHouseMD]

Lol college essays.

Just put anything interesting down. College adcoms don't expect high school students to be paragons of eloquence.

An adcom's view of a high school senior's English skills:

 

[spacecowgirl]

I don't think this question is asking you to describe your participation in a club so much as your participation one of the many "communities" they listed. They'll see your EC list, not sure I would make an essay out of it unless your role was really interesting, esp since you already did one about volunteering as an EC.

No specific role in your family traditions? Traditions of your city or school?

 

[Valadi]

Scouts. Big American tradition. Schools love them (which adcom wouldn't love a school full of non-riotious boy scouts?). Lifelong community. Apparently the Eagle Scout thing is a big deal if you get it.