Hey there it's Dr. Bernstein, the president and founder of Get Yourself Into College,
and today's video is part of a series of videos on the Common App essay question that asks
you to "Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content" and to share "what
you do or experience there and why it's meaningful to you."
Tip #1: Don't get hung up on the phrase "perfectly content." In the instructions on the Common
App, you're reminded that the essay topic is there to "inspire and structure your response."
In other words, you have some creative license here. When most people here the word "content,"
they think of being totally relaxed and satisfied, which is normal because that's the dictionary
definition of the word. Being content is often described as being in a state where you don't
feel the need for anything more. But you don't have to stick with this definition of "content."
Maybe you're only content when you're at you're limit and pressing yourself to take yourself
to the next level. Or maybe you feel most content when you're sitting on a crowded subway
because that's where you come up with your best, most innovative ideas for projects.
These aren't your standard senses of the word "content," but they definitely work.
Let me slip in a bonus tip here. You're not writing for yourself. You're writing about
yourself for admissions officers, and admissions officers are looking for students who have
certain qualities and experiences and perspectives that are going to help them excel in college
and be valuable contributors to the their school, so. . .
The first example I gave you would do more than just tell admissions officers that you're
content when you're challenging yourself in a particular area. You'd be giving them valuable
insight into your level of motivation, your ability to persevere, your ability to test
yourself and stretch past your limitations, and probably also how you handle setbacks.
These are all qualities
that matter a great deal to colleges--because they're crucial to your success.
The second example I gave you would do more than just tell admissions officers about how
you love being on the subway. It would grant them insight into how you come up with ideas
for your school projects, so they'd learn more about you as a thinker and creator, which
is great because of course colleges are interested in students who are capable of innovative
thinking--and actually that's something your recommenders have to rank you on--and they
are interested in students who are aware of the conditions that foster their creative
thinking.
I hope you're getting my point here. You can definitely think creatively when it comes
to the word "content."
Want more tips about this college application essay topic? Watch the next video in the series.
Head over to my website to get free access to "What Really Matters to Admissions Officers
and Why," which also has some surprising facts about what you need to be doing in 9th, 10th,
11th, and 12th grade.
That's it for now. Take care. Bye!