Essay Overlap

[kindofbluenote]

I'm wondering if each essay is viewed individually, or are they all looked at as one package?

To be specific: One school I'm applying to (Boston Univ.) asks about something that makes me unique, as well as another question regarding a defining event in my life. Outside of the business world, my main passion is classical guitar, and each of the two mentioned essays involves that as a theme.

Is this redundant, and should I find another topic for one of the essays? Or will each essay stand alone? I feel that I did a good job on the goals essay, which covers my career and education path, as well as future goals.

Thanks for your advice, and I'd like to hear from other applicants regarding their strategy as well.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear kindofbluenote,

Your essays are generally read as a package, so you can have connecting themes and experiences but you do not want to be redundant. I think you can use the guitar for both as long as the defining event is not repetitive to what makes you unique.

Good luck,
Lisa