<p>I was warned that I shouldn't write about others negatively or I would be risking my admission...
Here's the case.
I'm an Chinese applicant. When I was trying to enter a high school that I've dreamt for long, I failed in the exam and, well, was automatically placed into my current school, also a top school in my city, which I'd never thought of attending...because I chose it as an 'alternative of safety', like if you applied for Harvard and also, say, U Virginia to make sure you will have a school to attend(no offense). Anyway, my school's value is very different from mine: it prefers uniformity but I don't. In my education system transferring is not an option so I could only attend school here. There're not many ECs, my school opposes not preparing for Gaokao in its regular classes (I'm in one of those) and I was randomized into the worst class of the grade...The problem is that I felt I've really grown a lot dealing with the difficulties posed by my school... Can I write any of such things? Surely I wouldn't focus on the bad sides but....</p>
<p>Any suggestions…?</p>
<p>Yes - I think your approach is good (although I’m not in college admissions, so what do I know). If as you say, your focus is on your growth as an individual - that you’ve done your best to adapt to a “test oriented” curriculum and to a certain uniformity, and that you’re actually looking forward to coming to school in the US for personal growth … well, I’d have to think that would be looked on as a good thing by an admissions officer. As long as your essay doesn’t turn into a litany of bashing your current school, but how - as you said - it made you grow by dealing with less than ideal circumstances, I think your essay could be strong.</p>
<p>Reading between the lines it seems like you want to include some school bashing in your essay; that would be a mistake. If, as Reg suggested, you describe how your circumstance led to personal growth it could be an excellent essay.</p>
<p>Writing about overcoming challenges is good. Blaming the people who created the challenges is not good.</p>
<p>Do not write about the other school’s bad side. Instead, write about your experiences from the challenges you have faced. These challenges are in fact a good thing because you get to learn a lot of things from them.</p>