Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that
responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (650 words)
→740 words
Piecing Life Together
5000 pieces.
In front of me were 5000 puzzle pieces—different sizes, shapes, colors, each unique in
some way. No instructions, no references, just a vague idea of what the ideal final result would
look like. And that is where I began.
I started by separating the edge pieces from those in the center to get an idea of where
things belonged. After creating two piles—one for the edges and sides, and another for the center
pieces—my task became clearer. I then sorted through the sides and edge pieces to find the four
corner pieces. This was easy because there were only four pieces with right angles; all the other
side pieces had just one straight edge. After creating a frame using the side pieces, the more
difficult task began: figuring out where the rest of the more than 4600 pieces belonged. Using the
context of what was occurring in the image as a reference, I began to assemble the rest of the
pieces. This process, which took multiple days, often became painstakingly slow as I failed to
make progress, sometimes overwhelmed by the sheer number of pieces surrounding me. Yet I
continued building the puzzle, spending every extra minute I had between chores, schoolwork,
and other tasks to do so. Finally, my 5000-piece puzzle was complete—a true work of art.
Life is like a puzzle. Each piece represents a unique part of us. The center of the puzzle is
filled with different events that have happened in our lives: the funny moments we laugh about,
the tears we shed, the people we meet, and the experiences we have. The edge pieces are filled
with important memories that we cherish and will never forget—our morals and ethics, our
successes and achievements, as well as the hardships and obstacles we overcome to become who
we are today. However, it is the four corner pieces that truly encompass each and every one of us
as individuals. These corner pieces hold together both our puzzle of life and us.
For me, my four corner pieces are things I cannot live without: my family, my faith, my
education, and my culture. My family is the most important piece of my life, and they are the
ones who have made me who I am today. I come from a large family with six kids, and I am the
third. It was my family that instilled in me all the other three corner pieces of my life puzzle.
They have shaped and molded me into the person I am, taught me right from wrong, and helped
me through thick and thin. No matter who I become and how far I go in the world, it can only be
attributed to the guidance, effort, and assistance of my parents and five siblings.
The second most important aspect that makes up who I am is my Catholic faith. My faith
guides my values and character and allows me to feel a deeper sense of purpose that motivates
responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. (650 words)
→740 words
Piecing Life Together
5000 pieces.
In front of me were 5000 puzzle pieces—different sizes, shapes, colors, each unique in
some way. No instructions, no references, just a vague idea of what the ideal final result would
look like. And that is where I began.
I started by separating the edge pieces from those in the center to get an idea of where
things belonged. After creating two piles—one for the edges and sides, and another for the center
pieces—my task became clearer. I then sorted through the sides and edge pieces to find the four
corner pieces. This was easy because there were only four pieces with right angles; all the other
side pieces had just one straight edge. After creating a frame using the side pieces, the more
difficult task began: figuring out where the rest of the more than 4600 pieces belonged. Using the
context of what was occurring in the image as a reference, I began to assemble the rest of the
pieces. This process, which took multiple days, often became painstakingly slow as I failed to
make progress, sometimes overwhelmed by the sheer number of pieces surrounding me. Yet I
continued building the puzzle, spending every extra minute I had between chores, schoolwork,
and other tasks to do so. Finally, my 5000-piece puzzle was complete—a true work of art.
Life is like a puzzle. Each piece represents a unique part of us. The center of the puzzle is
filled with different events that have happened in our lives: the funny moments we laugh about,
the tears we shed, the people we meet, and the experiences we have. The edge pieces are filled
with important memories that we cherish and will never forget—our morals and ethics, our
successes and achievements, as well as the hardships and obstacles we overcome to become who
we are today. However, it is the four corner pieces that truly encompass each and every one of us
as individuals. These corner pieces hold together both our puzzle of life and us.
For me, my four corner pieces are things I cannot live without: my family, my faith, my
education, and my culture. My family is the most important piece of my life, and they are the
ones who have made me who I am today. I come from a large family with six kids, and I am the
third. It was my family that instilled in me all the other three corner pieces of my life puzzle.
They have shaped and molded me into the person I am, taught me right from wrong, and helped
me through thick and thin. No matter who I become and how far I go in the world, it can only be
attributed to the guidance, effort, and assistance of my parents and five siblings.
The second most important aspect that makes up who I am is my Catholic faith. My faith
guides my values and character and allows me to feel a deeper sense of purpose that motivates
