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Ok. So I need all of your help. I'm in my junior year of high school and this is the year that colleges look at most importantly. I'm one of the colleges I'm planning to apply to is NYU. (just for the sake of it since it's free to apply for NYC hs students anyways). The deadline is somewhere around Jan. 2nd, 2010 (I know it's a LOOONG way but it's still good I have a year to prepare for it since time goes by so quick.) and the college essay is on anything I want to write about but I have no idea what to write. I'm kind of blank. They're probably going to have a gazillion essays with the topic about overcoming an obstacle but I want to do something different. Anyone have any ideas?

I'm useless at coming up with ideas

Good luck {thumb2}

Do you have a favourite subject at school where you find a certain area particularly interesting?
I know me personally I would do something related to religions or cultures as I love Religious Education, I find it SO interesting.

lol not really. i don't like my school much.

My college counselor told me not to write about how great the college is (they already know that). Try writing about something that drastically changed your life. It is their time to read about you and who you are. Try writing about your hobbies (autograph collection). or about a special Community Service project you did. Try that, if not let me know and I can help you think of more ideas. I'm at the same point your are, but my school makes you write them your sophomore year. But it is a great idea to get a jump start on an essay. Also have one of your English Teacher check it for grammatical errors.

Hope that Helps,

Peanut1234

I've just recently completed the whole application process & everything turned in (I'm applying to a school in NYC too! But not NYU..haha I don't think I could get in there !) and I chose my essay on "A Fictional or Historic Character that has somehow affected you." I wrote about how Jean Valjean (from Les Miserables) and also Sydney Carton (from A Tale of Two Cities!) affected me in positive ways.

If you haven't done so yet, sign up for the Common App, and just add a random school (NYU might actually be on there) and when you get to the end of the Application process (which you can just click on the side), theres about 7 topics that they suggest, or your own! Hopefully this helps!

blimey, so is writing an essay the standard thing for applying in the us? i thoiught writing my personal statement was bad enough dont think i'd have enjoyed that, especially if its so open ended. good luck with it all anyway {thumb2} my ucas days are behind me now...it was all worth it in the end

In the US, we usually have an option: Personal statement, or personal essay...the essay is supposed to reflect YOU, but doesn't neccessarily have to be all about you.

It's actually a pretty loose system,...some schools will now accept a graded high school paper!

Thank you so much, guys!

Honestly, colleges don't even read essays. I have a friend who said as a joke the reason he should be accepted is because he's good looking. Did he get in? Yes. But it's really good to see you preparing at such a young age - that was my biggest mistake! If you have good grades, and do good on the SAT you should be fine . If you get the option to choose between a topic or writing a personal statement, do the personal statement. It's much easier to write good things about yourself and why you should attend the university. Good luck!!!