Below is my common app essay: Music has always been a huge part of my life. As an eight year-old I was singing in the family band “Lyonsrock,” with my four year-old brother on drums and my dad on guitar. While over the last nine years I’ve gone from soprano to bass, my passion for music hasn’t changed. I have worked hard to integrate music into every aspect of my life, using it not just for personal enjoyment,...

I think what set me apart in my application was the degree of passion...