Common App Essay: Prompt #1 help

College Essays
1

Hey guys, so prompt #1 on the common app says: "Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. "

So I have a physical disability that has me pretty much confined to a wheelchair. I feel like that is something that defines me.

More so than the actual disability, my ability to overcome adversity and still be successful is something I want to highlight.

However, many people who have been accepted to top colleges recently and parents of those students say not to mention my disability because it will make it sound like I am making excuses, or that I cannot handle the rigor of college due to it.

That is not the case at all since I want to showcase my determination. Please advise.

2

Yes, I would definitely write about your topic. If I were you, I wouldn’t be able to not write about the disability! You’re already on the right track since you realize the importance of not making your essay a “poor me” essay. There are many people who write about their struggles, hardships, disabilities, etc. in their college essays, and everything turns out fine. I don’t see anything wrong with you writing about how your disability has made you determined (and the like). You’re going to be writing about the positive qualities that you have because of your disability, so in no way are you making excuses or sounding as if you can’t handle college. Your college essay is supposed to tell the story of YOU; sharing the story your disability and your ability to be successful with it does exactly that! I say go for it!