College Essays

Common Application

Essay:
I can shapeshift.
Not from man to beast, nor from beast to man – rather from impassioned proponent to detached arbiter; from spirited defender to objective adjudicator. In an increasingly conflicted age, I retain the ability to examine complex issues of morality, practicality, and ethics from both sides of the aisle. From weighing the merits and shortcomings of Justice Marshall’s arguments for judicial review, to determining who really deserves the last cookie at the lunch table, I have eschewed partisanship in favor of justice in judgement. Fog of personal sentiment dispelled, contentions reveal new intricacies to me; maybe the Framers did intend for us to revise our Constitution in the future, and maybe Jerry did provoke Tom by stealing his cake. I take pride in the incorporation of such nuances into my appraisals, knowing that I am producing the assessment most conducive to the apportionment of fairness. Thus, without the weight of my own opinions to unjustly alter the balance, I take up the blindfold and the scales to weigh arguments prominent and subtle against each other, holding high with conviction the verdict – the metamorphosis from advocate to arbitrator complete.
I can also do the Dwayne Johnson eyebrow raise.

Tips for Writing:
Be authentic. You’re better off with worse writing that accurately represents you and your passions than a well-written farce that fakes an interest or something about yourself for a college. When you’re stuck, just keep throwing words onto the page; if you’re struggling to articulate a thought, you may find that this helps you get closer to saying what you want to say. Write about something only you can talk about; even if you’re writing about something common, say it in a way nobody else can say it. Bounce ideas off of people when you’re struggling to write about yourself- parents are a helpful resource. They know you better than almost anyone else does.

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