Does my college essay need to be "Deep"?

<p>So I'm beginning to draft my essay, and I'm afraid all of my ideas are not "deep" enough to write my college essay on. Is it fine to write about a crazy experience in Africa that didn't change my life forever for the better but made me realize something about myself and also shows my passion for travel/exploration/etc? I feel like among the stories of tragedy mine will just be considered shallow... thoughts?</p>

<p>Admission officers know that you’re what, 17? Most 17-year-olds haven’t exactly had a notable “life changing” experience, and colleges are well aware of that. Write about something that is meaningful to you–that is deep enough.</p>

<p>Oh, and don’t worry about those who write about tragedies. They can get old real fast if all they focus on is the tragedy itself, not what the writer got out of it.</p>

<p>I am applying this fall and I have written two essays, both of which have been proofed and corrected by my junior year English teacher. The first is about how I have learned responsibility, creativity, and patience through my passion for cooking, and the second is about when I was a CIT and the group of CITs had to plan a dance and how we quickly became a close group of friends because of our different ideas but shared goals.</p>