Common App Essay - Additional Info
Pro tip: write the additional essay for your common application. There is always more to a person than one essay can capture. Use this as an opportunity to talk about who you truly are as a person—beyond your academic achievements. Show them who you really are. Below is the additional essay I attached, describing my lifelong love for fashion.
The world is a runway, and mediocre outfits are missed opportunities to inspire others. Coco Chanel’s statement, “dress shabbily, they remember the dress; dress impeccably, they remember the woman” is one I live by every day. As a creative individual who loves to lead and inspire others, it seems appropriate that I jump at the chance to set fashion trends and make lasting first impressions.
The always-evolving fashion world has piqued my curiosity for as long as I can remember. However, my mindset has not always been the same. In kindergarten I attended a school that required uniforms, and I believed the identical outfits among students made my personality and facial appearance stand out more. My philosophy was that clothing was merely lightweight protection, and if everyone would just wear the same outfit, then less jealousy would exist. However, as I got older, my perspective changed as I began to appreciate the artistic value of clothing. I have always enjoyed artwork. When I first saw a fashion sketch in the third grade, I was mesmerized by the beauty of the colors, texture, and form of one image. I soon began sketching my own fashion designs, playing with fashion tool-kits, staging fashion shows with my friends, and mixing & matching clothing from my closet. My mother, who lived in New York during her younger days, shared my enthusiasm for new fashion trends as she was reminded of her days in the city. She helped me piece new wardrobe items together and, as she likes to phrase it, “keep up with the Joneses.” Eventually, fashion seemed less useless—I saw it as an art.
My initial dreams involved professional runway modeling, so I attended fashion camps and modeled for a local department store. However, my runway career would last as long as my maximum height potential. “Looks like you’re almost done growing,” my primary doctor said. I stared repeatedly at her laptop displaying my expected growth chart, refusing to believe my fate. I spent the next few days crying over that statement, until my parents reminded me “you can impact the fashion world in other ways.”
My fashion interest reignited on my first day of middle school, when I noticed a group of well-dressed high school girls who carried themselves with a confidence I desired. I planned on eliciting greater qualities, so after compiling a closet that better represented who I wanted to be, I immersed myself into the fashion world. To fuel my curiosity of society’s ever-changing art, I subscribed to various fashion publications, created a fashion blog, and hosted a fashion-inspiration Instagram account. As small online stores became more prominent in a social media-revolved society, I pondered the idea of becoming a child entrepreneur. This idea, along with my curiosity in fashion, has changed my life. I opened my own online clothing store in the tenth grade and marketed items to my peers by wearing my own products wisely.
Excitement washes over me like sunlight through white linen as I walk through school hallways, accepting compliments for my fashion sense and dedication to being well-dressed. Much of my confidence is due to my acknowledged trend-setting efforts. I’m amazed at how a simple interest has impacted my life so drastically. My pursuit of fashion led me to the Future Business Leaders of America organization, which allowed me to run for SGA President at my new school.
I've kept up with fashion shows, traveled for New York Fashion Week, and researched trends of successful fashion industry leaders. My love for fashion will never die. Living, learning, and creating fashion is a major pleasure of mine that I hope to continue building upon. One day, I hope to host my own fashion show and be the CEO of a major fashion company.
