All those "How I overcame my greatest challenge" essays...

College Essays
1

<p>These essays frustrate me to no end. My best friend never died, I never lost my shot at the basketball team, I wasn't ever diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I haven't yet climbed Mount Everest. From the POV of adcoms, my life has been handed to me on a silver platter. Sure, I've had challenging moments, but I don't think they want to hear about how economics was too hard and my gym teacher was slightly sexist. Bah. </p>

<p>So, I've got this concept, and it seems to me to be kind of clever. But it this a terrible idea? I don't really know if readers want to hear something facetious in response to that kind of a prompt.</p>

<p>I'd begin the essay with my struggle to come up with an idea about which to write the essay. I touch on how learning recursion in computer science was pretty hard, but dismiss it. Then I'd go on to the challenges of writing an essay about my challenges. I'd end with the conclusion that the essay was about the challenge of writing the essay about the challenge. </p>

<p>[You might need to understand what recursion is to get the joke there. I'm applying to engineering schools-- won't they get it?]</p>

<p>Thanks for any feedback!</p>

2

<p>The idea is great, but I don't know if it fits the essay topic correctly. Is there another essay topic you can choose? I'll admit, it would be a funny essay in itself.</p>

3

<p>keep in mind that it doesn't have to be this monumental challenge. i'm sure adcoms get enough essays about overcoming a fear, losing a family member, etc. i'd even dare to say that writing about those challenges are harder because it has to come just right (tone-wise) and really original</p>

<p>a challenge can be as simple as teaching a kid you tutor his ABCS or 123s, but with a spin</p>

<p>it can be simple, but should be unique.</p>

4

<p>Ooo..that's a cool idea; this will def. stand out among all the other essays.</p>

5

<p>Excellent idea. Just make sure the recursion thing doesn't seem random. Or use the word recursion to describe your second situation.</p>

6

<p>The few books I've read about college essay writing specifically advise against the approach that you are proposing. </p>

<p>I think you're too concerned about a huge event. What they want to know is more about you. I know of one girl who had a serious accident that left her near death and in rehab for many months. She didn't write about that. Instead she wrote about her older sister going off to college and how that affected her. She was admitted to numerous top colleges.</p>