Hey, I live in a rural county in North Carolina. I have unfortunately had my house completely flooded twice, once during Matthew, and now during Florence. For my essay I was thinking about going into detail about how having to juggle losing everything, rebuilding my house, and still doing well in school helped me develop as a person only to have to undergo the same thing again during my senior year where I am preparing for colleges.
I felt this would be good as it’s not generic but it may be “to personal.” If any of y’all had opinions I would appreciate them.
Sorry to hear you’re going through another flood. I don’ think this is too personal for a college essay topic. The essay is about YOU - not about the floods. I think you have the right approach in talking about your response to losing everything - again - in the midst of a chaotic time. How what you learned the last time helps you know that this time regardless of the material stuff you’ve lost, you’re a survivor blah blah blah.
I would probably avoid focussing too much on “still doing well in school” because your transcript will tell that for you.
As is said often here - show, don’t tell. A few descriptive words can help the reader feel what you’re feeling.
Be aware that, applying to a school in NC, there may be many who experienced the floods. Is there anything that shows the college more than loss and personal/family recovery? Eg, you volunteered to help others in some ways (especially since you went through this before and know the needs.)