For the common app’s essay, concerning background and identity, would writing about being the subject of bullying in middle school and how you evoloved through it when you reached high school be an acceptable topic for a prospective Ivy League student?
It’s not bad, but it IS a little cliche. Also make sure that it isn’t a sob story and the emphasis is placed on post bullying. Are there any other topics you’re considering?
I think you could weave that in, but it might be better to focus on the development of identity for yourself and why that’s an important topic in general. I think telling a personal story and tying it something bigger, broader may show your ability to honor your personal experience while noticing its importance in relation to your lens on the world, people, life in general. My two cents.
It’s at least the 3rd or 4th question on this topic I’ve seen in the past week or so-- how sad.
I think you should try something else, or risk being “one of the bullying essays.”