The things that make me “unique” at school probably doesn’t translate in the same way to college admissions officer. I’m struggling to find any essay topics that isn’t overdone. Although, one of the more personal events that happened in my life involved a complicated surgery that’s worthy of being featured in a medical drama. For a short period of time, I was in a vegetative state. Now, this happened years ago, and my brain no longer resembles a cucumber, or some other vegetable used to metaphorically suggest stupidity. It was a stressful moment in life for both me and my parents, and it came with a handful of setbacks that followed me for a couple of years. Sob stories are considered “red flags” to college admissions essay, so my other alternative is to talk about it in a comedic way. This may lessen the severity of the situation, making my health defects comparable to some sports injury. I don’t know how to go about this. What’s your intake? Back to the drawing board?
Hmm. How long ago? In general I think it is a little challenging as a topic. The question is how to make it so the essay makes them want you on campus.
For starters, don’t worry about a topic that’s been overdone. Just make your essay something that only you could have written and don’t worry about the general topic.
You have had an experience that few others have. It doesn’t have to be a sob story or a joke, but it’s part of who you are. I think it can be a stepping stone to an essay.
Have you ever wondered just what was going on in your head during that period of time? I mean, your ears were working; you should have been able to hear what was going on around you.
I would play with this essay, approach it 2 or 3 different way before turning it aside.
I agree with bjkmom. I heard sob stories can make it hard for admission officers to look at your essay objectively, but as long as the story shows who you are, you are fine. Just focus on you growing during the essay and not so much on the sadness.
I don’t think that you want to present this as a sob story, nor as a joke. To me it would seem to be a better plan to focus more on your recovery and make it a positive story if this is possible. If you are ready to go to university then you must have experienced a major and very hopeful recovery.
I know with S he took a unique hardship and used it in his essays depicting how it helped him grow and develop the passion for his major and his ECs. Didn’t dwell on it but used it as a stepping stone into the essay.
I have to say that your post really caught my attention. The big question is, are you a skilled enough writer to do this without a sob story? What immediately came to mind was how you could (possibly) write a really cool essay going further with the vegetable metaphors. I know that sounds crazy. I would be very interested in reading your essay to see what you can come up with. You can pm me if you like, when you have a first draft or some sound ideas about how you want to approach this.
You actually seem like a pretty sensible person, and just going by what you have written here, you might be able to pull this off.
The reason why sob stories are sometimes a red flag is because oftentimes it focuses on what happened to them, rather than WHO they are as a person. Like intparent said, the goal of the college essay is to show why they would want you on campus. If you can say something about that in a meaningful or intelligent way, go for it. Otherwise you might as well focus on a different topic that shows unique qualities that would make you an attractive candidate