Can I write my college essay about string theory even if I’m not planning to major in physics?
So I’ve been really fascinated by string theory since I watched a documentary about it last year. I’m actually thinking about majoring in political science, but physics is kind of a side passion for me. I wanted to write my Common App essay about how learning about string theory changed the way I look at the world.
Do you think this topic would be too off-track if I’m not going into STEM? Would it seem like I’m not focused enough? Or can I somehow use it to show how I approach different problems and subjects in life? I just don’t want to come across as all over the place.
Do you think this topic would be too off-track if I’m not going into STEM? Would it seem like I’m not focused enough? Or can I somehow use it to show how I approach different problems and subjects in life? I just don’t want to come across as all over the place.
7 months ago
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50 views
Anonymous
7 months ago
Writing your college essay about string theory can actually be a strong choice, even if you’re not planning to major in physics. Colleges love to see students with intellectual curiosity and a passion for learning that goes beyond the classroom, regardless of their intended major. The key is to connect your fascination with string theory to your growth, worldview, or approach to problems—rather than just describing what string theory is or why it’s cool.
For example, maybe learning about string theory helped you realize how interconnected everything is, and that inspired you to look for connections between seemingly unrelated topics in political science, like economics and international relations. Or perhaps it changed the way you think about the "big picture"—helping you appreciate complexity and uncertainty, which informs how you understand politics or approach challenging issues in your community.
One thing to avoid is making your essay a science lecture. Admissions officers want to see what studying something challenging taught you about yourself. A student once wrote about how reading about complex scientific theories, even though they weren’t planning to study science, taught them to be comfortable with ambiguity—something that shaped their perspective as a debate leader advocating for nuanced policy solutions.
To sum up: It’s less about the specific topic (string theory) and more about what it reveals about you. As long as you tie your passion for physics to your broader approach to learning or problem-solving—and connect it back in some way to why you’d be an engaged, interesting student in political science—your essay will feel focused, personal, and distinctive, not scattered. Admissions teams appreciate students who go deep in their interests, even if those interests don’t fit neatly in one box.
For example, maybe learning about string theory helped you realize how interconnected everything is, and that inspired you to look for connections between seemingly unrelated topics in political science, like economics and international relations. Or perhaps it changed the way you think about the "big picture"—helping you appreciate complexity and uncertainty, which informs how you understand politics or approach challenging issues in your community.
One thing to avoid is making your essay a science lecture. Admissions officers want to see what studying something challenging taught you about yourself. A student once wrote about how reading about complex scientific theories, even though they weren’t planning to study science, taught them to be comfortable with ambiguity—something that shaped their perspective as a debate leader advocating for nuanced policy solutions.
To sum up: It’s less about the specific topic (string theory) and more about what it reveals about you. As long as you tie your passion for physics to your broader approach to learning or problem-solving—and connect it back in some way to why you’d be an engaged, interesting student in political science—your essay will feel focused, personal, and distinctive, not scattered. Admissions teams appreciate students who go deep in their interests, even if those interests don’t fit neatly in one box.
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