Hi! I am a rising senior but I was just recently diagnosed with cancer in the spring, and i am currently going through chemotherapy right now. I was planning on writing my common application essay about my whole experience, but I’m not sure if it’s a good idea and I don’t really know how to go about it haha. Also, my SAT scores aren’t the highest (1440) and i’ve only taken one subject test. I planned to do more, but I don’t think I can given my condition. Any advice?? And can this count as a hook when I do applications?
Do you know what shape you will be in by September?
I think that the first priority is to fight the cancer. Great schools will still be there a year later.
I don’t think that this is a hook. I do think that it puts life in perspective. Good luck and best wishes. I hope that you do very well.
…and 1440 is a very good SAT score. There are many good schools for which this would be a significant plus.
I will be done with my rounds of chemo in september! 1440 is a good score, but I also want to apply for more selective colleges so I don’t think it’s very good. Thank you for your wishes! It is very much appreciated!!
I think you should definitely write about your experience with cancer. It will make a compelling essay, particularly if it’s well done.
Have you considered taking a year off in order to recover before attending college? This would give you time to retake the SAT and to approach college applications without the burden of feeling poorly. Applying to college is stressful in the best of circumstances, let alone doing it while battling cancer. I’m so sorry you’re going through this, and at such a young age. I recommend turning the experience into a positive in your essay where you can talk about how having cancer changed your perspective, etc.
I wish you the best of luck!
Be sure you have an idea of the purpose behind the essay. It’s less a commentary or reflection than meant to show them the traits and qualities they look for in the class, for the 4 years. So while your positive attitude is great, it may not be quite what helps with a college app. The principle is what you show, not just tell. So think about that.
Best wishes.
Sorry you have to go through this, but glad you hear that you can be confident of wrapping up treatment and going on with your college planning.
If you’ll need to have close medical follow-up while in college, do take that into account when looking at schools. Rice, for example, attracts quite a few young people who need specialty care that’s available through the nearby Houston Med Center, including MD Anderson for cancer diagnoses. Boston is, of course, a huge medical hub. Fred Hutchinson is a short bus ride from UW Seattle. And so on… but having that kind of access could be important.
For the essay, speaking in “aerial view” generalities about your experience may not be as effective as picking one vignette that gives the reader a glimpse of what this has been like for you, even if it doesn’t spell out the whole arc of your experience. Can you pick out one significant interaction that got at what is meaningful to you, one turning point when your perspective shifted, something like that? Go micro rather than macro - you can still supply the context, but with a vivid focal point that will really make the reader feel like they’ve met you in that particular moment. (Does that make sense?)
Good luck with everything!
Also I would consider looking at colleges that will allow a gap year after being accepted…you may feel up to going to college…you may not. But you will have the option.