Family mantra as a college essay topic- still viable or passe?

[Anonymous]

It’s all in the execution, have them write it and then see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have what I would consider a family mantra and DD used it in her essay. We did not have a college counselor to tell her no. I thought it did a good job on tying all her activities and interests together and what she wanted to do in college. Currently at a t10. I would guess it's all how you use it in the essay

Or what the mantra is. “Never give up, never give in” = boring. “When in doubt, wear a clown nose” = heck, if you can write well, could be unique and attention-grabbing!

OP, it’s not passe. The counselor said it wasn’t captivating, ie, your family mantra isn’t that interesting as a foundation for an essay.

[Anonymous]

Only if the mantra is playful and funny. An essay about how a kid was inspired by an earnest family mantra sounds cliche.

[Anonymous]

Semper ubi sub ubi

[Anonymous]

It really depends. A.) Is the mantra interesting? B.) Is your kid a good/skillful writer? Is there concrete evidence of how the mantra has worked for her?

[Anonymous]

If it’s cliche, no. Don’t do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds cliche.

EVERYTHING is a cliché. Everything has been done. That’s why this process is painful, you’re supposed to write something new and engaging, but it’s all been done and you have to show how you’ve GROWN and had a realization. Ha. It’s all a bunch of baloney.

I say go for it too!

[Anonymous]

Our family mantra is every morning we say "Remember, don't be an *ss*ole. Good luck!"

[Anonymous]

Are you Kendall O’Toole from Peloton

“They can knock you down, but they can never knock you out!” Her family mantra so she said …would them say it at the end of every ride.

Lol

[Anonymous]

Is it “work hard, play harder?”

[Anonymous]

Do people really have family mantras? That you discuss? I don't get this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family mantra is every morning we say "Remember, don't be an *ss*ole. Good luck!"

This made me laugh out loud. As an admissions officer, I’d definitely keep reading!

[Anonymous]

is it We Can Do Hard Things?

[Anonymous]

sounds Mormon era blogosphere

[Anonymous]

If it is something compelling and well written,
why not?