I was diagnosed with brain cancer as a high school junior and, now a senior, am still battling it. I’ve had brain surgery, radiation, etc. I wrote one of my supplemental essays about how my brain tumor has shaped me as a person, but I wanted to ask if cancer is a topic that should be avoided. My essay is neither a “pity me” essay nor a tear-jerker–in fact, there is some humor–but are cancer essays off-limits or strongly discouraged?
First and most importantly, best wishes for a full recovery.
The point of the college essay is to make admissions officers want to have you on campus. As long as your essay focuses on what you have learned, how you have grown, your resilience etc. and is not a “woe is me” themed essay it should be fine.
Best wishes to you. My child also had this during high school (brain tumor and treatment) and will write college essay on it. Focus will be on making choices about outlook on life and on unexpected support and what it means. So I think it’s a fine topic.