Is writing about my dad who had an alcohol addiction is fine in my common app/supplemental?
Any topic is fine as long as you portray it in a positive light that shows something new about you. I think I’d need more information about your topic to provide more helpful and specific feedback, though. Feel free to PM me about it if you’d like.
With respect be careful who you share your essay with. Many on cc have years of experience with this.
Not a great topic. The essay is about you. Don’t rewrite a cliche essay
It’s been done thousands of times. The essay should attempt to be personal, interesting and unique as much as possible. Interesting is key here.
The essay isn’t meant to be about another person. Nor is it just “something new about you.” This is for your college app. Not an ordinary hs writing assignment.
Make it relevant to what they want to learn about you, as an applicant for their class. Not random.
Your father is identified by name on your application. Writing about his personal, possibly embarrassing, medical problems just isn’t a good reflection on an applicant. I am always struck at the contrast between how carefully the medical community follows HIPPA rules vs. how quickly students are willing to violate their immediate family’s medical privacy for the sake of a college essay. If you display no discretion towards your own family, an adcom may wonder how kind would you be to a roommate dealing with an eating disorder or mental health issue?
Keep the essay positive and keep it about you. Ask your GC to mention that you had to deal with “an alcoholic family member” growing up.
Why would you write about your dad’s addiction? What does that tell them about you? How does that make them want to say yes to you?
Copying from another post I just wrote:
It’s a bit like a painting. The picture should be a portrait of you. The frame can be whatever you want, but it should make the picture look great.