How can you possibly summarize who you are as a person in 650 words? It's tempting to have this essay be a duplicate of the many accomplishments you've already listed in your application. For instance, you might cram into sentences absolutely redundant prepositional phrases like "Combining my volunteer activities with my love of sports achievement and raw musical talent...". This is NOT what the common essay is about. Rather, the common essay is a chance to explore and articulate what is the essence of you as a person that would be important to know for the bleary-eyed, coffee-chugging application reader who awaits at the other end of your keyboard.

Spend your time on this essay sharing what is uniquely you!