<p>Question: I had a HUGE drop in GPA in the second semester of my sophomore year and first quarter of my junior year. The rest of my junior year was very good, and I expect my senior year (about to start) will be, too. I have had no loss of life in my family [...]</p>
<p>An essay on weakness can be very powerful when done properly. It usually helps NOT to state the premise of the essay up front. My second son wrote a very dangerous essay that skirted on one of the disciplinary consequences that he underwent. The facts were more clearly stated in an attachment, but the essay went into the inner thoughts and other things that brought the reader on to the scene. The GC at his school was not sure that the essay was a wise one as ANY essay that goes into certain forbidden areas is risky, but had to admit that it was the most interesting reading that year. Apparently admissions counselors thought the same, as he actually got comments on the essays and was accepted to the more competitive schools--did not help him in the program he wanted, but he did pass the admissions cuts. That a dastardly deed had to be reported, and the some of the consequences did result in drops in gpa made the essay a great vehicle, though it did not dwell so much on the facts of the actions. Son ended up being asked if essay could be used as a sample for how to explains some problems in the records.</p>
<p>An admissions director I know once said, "I've never known an essay that took a risk to fail." (Well, I may be butchering her quote, but that's the general idea.) </p>
<p>She didn't mean that every applicant who writes a risky essay is admitted, only that--if the candidate is NOT admitted--it isn't because of the essay.</p>
<p>The only sorts of "risky" essays that I've heard admission officers complain about are those that provide graphic descriptions of bodily functions, sexual activity and the like. Perhaps the authors are trying desperately to stand out in a crowd, but these are the sorts of "risks" I'd advise against.</p>
<p>sexual activity? christ...haha.
it's a good general idea tho...risks :)</p>