College Entrance Essay: Skydiving?

[Suavel 0]

Pre-Script: If this should go into the Bonfire, please move it, and my apologies.


Hello, my name is Tucker, I am 17, and I jump out of perfectly good airplanes. I have 90 jumps, my grandfather is DZO: Skydive Opelika, and my uncle is SkymonkeyONE. I'm also applying to Emory University this month, and I was considering writing one of my required essays on skydiving. They said to take something that means a lot to me and write about it to show them something about myself that they won't see anywhere else on the application.

So what do you guys think? What do you think the main focus should be? I'd gladly except any advice on the idea. I thought it would be an original essay that would educate and entertain.

Also, what is skydiving to you? Is it just good fun, or is it something more? If it is something else, what is that special something?

Thanks guys,
Tucker

[bob.dino 1]

I think it's a very good idea.

To me skydiving is a challenge, camraderie, and occasional glorious moments that remind you how good it can be to be alive.


ps: "accept" .

[TomAiello 26]

First, let me express my condolences on your family situation. Being related to Chuck isn't something to be wished lightly upon the average 17 year old.

When I was in college, I had to read a ton of scholarship application essays (some genius in the scholarship office thought it was a good idea to have current scholarship students review the applications, so I got roped into spending way to much of the time I should have been chasing girls and getting drunk sitting at a desk reading essays).

Any essay that isn't about "overcoming obstacles" and doesn't sound like 95% of the other crap that gets generated by people who listen to their high school guidance counselors automatically scored extra points. Anything that sounded like the person writing it wasn't a pasty faced nerd chained to a desk behind the principals office was even better.

I think the best one I read was by a guy who wrote about leading the narrows pitch on Steck-Salathe (it's a nasty bit of rock climbing several hundred feet off the deck with minimal protection).

Definitely write about skydiving. Don't neuter your essay by throwing in too much of the meaningless drivel that fills everyone elses'. If you find yourself using the phrase "overcoming obstacles" immediately throw away that draft, go for a skydive, and start over.

Try to capture the beauty of what you are doing, and it's meaning to you. Don't try to use it as yet another cover plate for the same damn essay I had to read a thousand times.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[JohnnyD 0]

I don't think I've ever seen a better opportunity for someone to talk about family, business, dedication and personal exploration in one shot.
Good luck and post up how it goes.

[adventurechick 0]

Colleges want to see essays which set apart people from other students. An essay on skydiving and how you achieved your goals would be an excellent essay! I sent in essays about my shark diving to all the college I applied to and got in to all of them! If shark diving worked, then I bet skydiving would as well! Good luck!!

PMS #449 TPM #80 Muff Brother #3860
SCR #14705 Dirty Sanchez #233

[darkwing 5]

I have evaluated many entrance essays, for both undergraduate and graduate students. I think your topic would be excellent. Just don't dot your "i's" with a smily face (yes, I have seen that).

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[Suavel 0]

Quote

ps. "accept" :P

Damn!

Thanks guys, I'll do my best and I may post the essay when it's finished.

[kallend 2,148]

I too get to read entrance essays.

The topic is really immaterial. Make sure the essay is well structured and written in standard English. Don't make it cutesy.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[NWFlyer 2]

I helped one of our regular posters here do her application essay on her experiences working as a full-time skydiver for a few years before college. It's a great topic if you do it right, and it makes you stand out from everyone else, for sure.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[steveorino 7]

I'm writing a Masters Thesis on: Personality Traits of Licensed Skydivers.

As far as papers go (and I've written 100s of them) it was one of the hardest as far as available research, but one of the most enjoyable.

Good luck! Start early, and don't plagarize. College professors have tools to determine what percentage of a paper is unoriginable in about 5-10 minutes. (they use www.turnitin.com)

steveOrino

[Jewels 0]

Totally aside from the essay issue: I LOVED Emory! I attended their law school and have to say that it was fantastic. I can only assume that their undergrad program is just as outstanding. Good luck with your application!

TPM Sister #102

[Kris 0]

Feh...this one's easy.

Dear Admissions,

Yes, I'm related to Chuck Blue. I'm sorry. Please overlook this fact and let me attend your prestigious university anyway.

Regards,

Suavel Monkey.

Just kidding, but you've really picked a great topic for your admissions essay. Can't wait to read it when you're finished!

Sky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and
Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™

[Hazarrd 1]

used skydiving as the topic for my law school application essay. worked ok for me.

.-.