<p>I know that one is supposed to write and essay that generally tells of who they are, but I was wondering if a death in the family is, well, cliche? I expect the reason why is that a death is so sudden it is one of the main events that shapes a youth's life. When I was in middle school my brother died - my parents changed who they were, and I became an only child.</p>
<p>Even though it is truth, and is important to me, is it too unoriginal for a competitive college?</p>
<p>i would say that its cliche…unless u can make the essay extraordinary using that topic. and i mean extraordinary.</p>
<p>I think you should stick to the topic - yes, the topic of “death of a loved one” is cliche, but not many people have their immediate brothers die. Also, a good number of those who write about death are fabricating their story and fail to deliver their essay as poignantly as they should.</p>
<p>Put your all into the essay, and I bet you could produce an “extraordinary” one - This was obviously a significant event that happened in your life, and when else will you write about this for something as important as college admissions?</p>
<p>This event seems like it would shape who you are immensely. I don’t think it’s cliche at all, writing an essay on how Uncle Joe died may be a little cliche. But that’s your brother…</p>
<p>I’m very sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>There are no cliche topics.</p>
<p>There are only cliche treatments of topics.</p>
<p>At the link I provide below, there are three essays–one “good”, one “bad”, and one “risky”–about death. There is a also a lot of good advice about college essays.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html[/url]”>www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html</a></p>
<p>Choose whatever topic allows for the most personal, detailed and revealing essay.</p>
<p>**</p>
<p>Edit: Sorry, the original link was incorrect, I’ve fixed my error.</p>
<p>yeah, because everyone suffers the death of a sibling in childhood.</p>
<p>don’t listen to judgmental fools who tell you that’s a cliche</p>