The essay is about a friend/mentor who died of cancer recently. I mostly focused on his influence on me before he died before going into my realization of that influence after he died.
I know it’s kind of cliche to write about death but it is a pretty important part of the story. I just don’t want to seem like I’m trying to get pity points or anything.
Any thoughts?
Any topic can be fine – it depends more on how the essay is written than anything else. Just be sure 1) the focus of the essay is you and not the friend who passed away; 2) be sure it doesn’t turn into a sob story; and 3) never forget that the purpose of the essay is to show admissions officers some of your traits/characteristics that would make them want to have you on campus.