My College Essays #1 (Common App)

It’s been almost a year since I started writing my college application essays. Seventeen universities and thirty one essays later, I am still carefully submitting each and every application. As colleges really do want to get to know their applicants, these essays share who I am. I will be publishing one essay per week here, on my blog, for your enjoyment, entertainment, and good wishes before I hear back from each institution. Enjoy!

By the time our car left our driveway, packed to the brim with luggage, each family member had a copy of a spreadsheet filled with all of the information we could ever need. Prior to this family road trip, I conducted a survey in which each person selected their top destinations. I insisted on creating a particularly detailed travel itinerary; not only did I include the estimated times between stops, but I also took weather, traffic, and gas costs into my calculations for planning the route. My dad played the role of driver, my mom funded the trip, and my brother clicked record on his GoPro to capture our experience.

My household is home to four unique ways of thinking, four distinct personalities, and four pairs of eyes through which to see the world. In my family unit, I happen to be the only oldest child. In many families, the parents are in charge and that is that. In my situation, though, I have been able to form my leadership skills from within my family. I tend to keep everyone else on track and my natural shepherding tendencies have followed me into other aspects of my life. They have enhanced my type-A personality, where I have learned to lessen my control tendencies through delegating. My family fostered my sense of responsibility which has blossomed into my independence.

From a young age, my parents wanted me to have every possible opportunity. They instilled a sense of academic importance in me, made sure I would play an instrument, signed me up for countless sports at the rec center, and encouraged my artistic expression in the way I dressed. They did not want me to miss out on any opportunities being their first child. As I grew older, my list of involvements grew, as did my commitments. I went from playing middle school sports to pursuing my passion in club volleyball, hearing stories about how my grandma marched for peace in the 1970’s to harnessing my own activist powers related to the environment, making silly dance videos to producing vlogs and environmental education videos on my own YouTube channel.

Although my schedule is often overflowing– but organized and color coded too– I have not wanted to give up any of my interests. As the older child, I have come to accept and appreciate my wide involvement. Youngest children, or at least the three I live with, have a deeper interest in fewer activities simply because they have had to prove themselves in something growing up. But for me, the opposite is true. I have been able to explore different fields and grow in all directions.

Growing up, making a memorable first impression was a priority, and I became a detail-oriented achiever. I learned to be quick and efficient. I strive for greatness not because my parents expect it but because they have helped me recognize my own potential.

While I can be type-A and thrive through leadership and control, beneath the layers of commitment is a malleable, adaptable person. Constantly being around others has taught me to recognize other people’s needs and adjust to unique situations. The summer before senior year, our longtime dance coach quit and the team was faced with the grim reality of falling apart. As captain, I could not imagine my senior year without the unity of a team. For the past four months, I have led the group of girls through practices, choreography, and half-time shows. As we stood united on the football field at one of my last home games, the rush of excitement and noise from the crowd filled my ears. I saw the smiles across my team and knew that by saving our dance season, I had renewed a sense of joy.

In just a few months, I will be getting into my own car, ready to embark on my college journey. Although I will not have the other members of my family by my side, I will let the strengths I have accumulated shine through as I did on our road trip.