Your Distinctive Perspective will be your Unique Voice

When I tutor high school seniors on their college application essays, I always emphasize this, your writing, no matter what topic you may choose, must reflect your unique voice, so that readers can see clearly an individual who is different from anyone else, a unique YOU. Also that voice must be authentic.

Some say, there's nothing new under the sun. People have already exhausted all the topics. High school students have very limited life's experience.

True, it is hard to find anything new that is worthy written. Yet, keep in mind the unique you is revealed in the way you interpret the event or the experience. You stand out through your distinctive interpretation and perspective.

I remember one student wrote about self-portrait and explored why her self-portrait always turned out more beautiful than herself. She became philosophic about it and in the end embraced both her ideal self represented by her self-portrait and my current real self.

You must have this self-confidence. That is, believing that you have a brain of your own, with that you can contribute something new through your writing and through your life, regardless of what others say. This is what I am here for.