<p>Hi. I'm thinking of applying to UCs and some ivy leagues as a reach. I really want to write my essay on how I used to be a chronic people pleaser, and how I overcame that issue and became more self-confident in myself. Is that a good essay topic? Or will colleges look badly on me for once being fake and weak? Or is the topic of self-confidence irrevelant to college admissions, and they would rather see me write about an intellectual topic or about how i contributed to the world etc...and not just something i struggled with myself</p>
<p>This seems like a good topic as long as you make it clear that you have changed, and explain how you made that change in your life.</p>
<p>No need to write about a great achievement or intellectual topic. As long as the essay reveals something important about yourself, then you are good. It would actually be bad if you tried to force a more intellectual topic. Admission officers want to see personal essays, not something dry and contrived. </p>
<p>Confidence is definitely an important characteristic, as well as the ability to overcome a previous shortcoming. So yes, your topic is fine imo.</p>
<p>I agree that written well, it has great potential for a good essay. I know of someone who wrote an essay about the many “fake” people in high school, and she goes on to talk about how she used to be one of them. As long as you demonstrate that you have grown from the experience and how it (positively) impacts you as a person now, you should be fine!</p>
<p>Thanks guys! :)</p>
<p>Be careful not to criticize others for being fake or people pleasers or taking advantage of your people-pleasing tendencies (or anything else). Never badmouth anyone in a college essay.</p>