I’m writing my common app essay in response to the failure prompt, and I’m writing about failing my driving test (twice) and how it made me realize that failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing and that my fear of failure was holding me back from achieving. I feel like this is a kinda basic topic though, so if anyone has any ideas on how to set my essay apart from the rest, I would appreciate it!!
Maybe include how this acceptance of failure can then help you academically/in college or prompted you to take a “daring step” in the direction of a college major of which you were previously unsure. Colleges like to see someone who “knows their name” as to ensure their students will have a greater probability of graduation vs. dropping out, so it’s always wise to include something about how you know what you want to do with your life or future and then describe how the lesson you learned or the challenge you overcame (in this case, the failure of your driving test) relates back to these said goals.
Through these essays, colleges are honestly just looking for your “off-transcript” qualities. I obviously don’t know how you’re planning to set up your essay, but you could totally work in the qualities of being a hard-worker, someone who never gives up, someone who is adventurous and now likes to try new things (b/c you’ve learned failure isn’t a bad thing but is something that helps you learn and grow, etc.)
I hopes this helps!
thank you!!