So I've spent an incredibly long time doing my common app essays and supplements and this is one of the last ones so I'm totally brain dead. The prompt is "what makes you unique in 500 words?" I figured what I wrote here is either very stupid and will get me denied completely or is risky enough to pass. Please let me know what you think and if it's okay I'd love help on revisions!
I have to say that this is the most unoriginal, commonplace essay prompt I've had to answer. Whenever I talk to friends about bleak and boring essays, this is the topic they fall under. "What makes you unique?" is the stereotypical prompt that everyone hates to answer. This is what makes it such a challenging one. Two hours were spent yesterday trying to invent something that makes me different and another three today, but all I can come up with is a hope that not answering the prompt is unique enough. A paradox, if you please.
When I think of unique I think of Dr. Seuss, Steve Jobs, Buddha, but I do not think of a college applicant. We all want the same thing: to finish our applications, be accepted into our top choice, and begin our lives away from home. Every once in awhile a genius comes along, someone who has devoted themself to hundreds of hours of volunteer work, another who took eight AP classes their senior year, and another who won first place at the national science fair level two years in a row. I wish I could justly tell you I am unique in one of these ways but that would be against the honor code and just flat-out immoral.
The College of William and Mary looks for diversity in their students. I can tell you that I don't have limits on expectations for myself because that would infer I believe there is a limit to how successful I can be. I can mention all of my qualifications as president of my youth group, varsity rowing athlete, vice president of the Red Cross club at my school, all these things that prove I have a vigorous work ethic. Yet, I still feel like I won't be the first to say so, so I won't try to impress you with them.
After the common app, all I have left to say about myself is that I plan to be one of those geniuses. I want my name to be listed on another college applicant's essay along with Dr. Seuss and Steve Jobs. Although I know everyone dreams big, I believe I'll at least fall in the stars and become someone memorable at William and Mary. I'm confident that you'll remember this essay after reviewing my application and that you'll remember me if I get the chance to graduate from here four years later.
