So, I am currently in the stages of preparing my college essay. All of my community service, leadership and achievements are already included in my resume. However, I have had quite a difficult past, and considering the circumstances that I have dealt with, I have done much better than anyone has expected of me. When I was in 5th grade, my mother started using heroin. This affected me in ways that have changed me remarkably. I feel as if without this struggle, I would not be who I am today. Because of this, I thought of writing my essay about my mother’s addiction. I am planning to relate heroin to a “monster” and explain how this drug possessed my mother, however it failed to drag me down. But I was wondering if admissions officers would look down upon me or judge me based on my mother’s actions as have many other people in my life. This also relates to the recent heroin epidemic the US has been facing recently. Do you all think this would be a good idea? Or should I stick to something more conservative?
I think it is a good thing to write about, but don’t make the essay too negative. You’re using words like “monster” and “dragged me down” which have a negative connotation.
The essay is about you. Merely describe her addiction, and focus on what you did to adapt to it or solve the problem and how that has affected you today (you learned to forgive, you learned to not give up on people, you learned to be independent as your mother didn’t take care of you something like that).
@rdeng2614 thank you so much that makes a lot of sense!
Does she want you to publicize her addiction? It’s something a non-fiction writer must consider. Read up on the ethics of this.
You need to consider that the goal of your essay is for them to learn something that makes them want you on campus. Be sure that this topic is the thing you most want to put forward and have stick in their minds. Your mom’s behavior doesn’t reflect badly on you, but it can be hard to turn the essay to something positive to help your admissions.
Don’t take the prompts too seriously – using an essay as a confessional or therapy or to air dirty laundry in your family’s past may not be the best way to create the picture you want.
It’s a viable topic and you can probably write well about it–remember that it’s got to be about who you are, though, in the end.