<p>So I need to write my common app essay and I think I'm going to do the one about a background experience.</p>
<p>I'm considering writing it about how last year I had a tumor in my breast and how it made me realize how much I enjoy doing basic things like homework and prom dress shopping etc...
is this too cliche? </p>
<p>Yes, it’s cliche. Not as bad as the dreaded “Mission Trip” essay or “Struggling With Depression” or “When I Knew I Was Gay”, but up there.</p>
<p>You want to give a sense of yourself. You don’t have to be happy, happy, happy, but you are not your tumor. Mention it as an aside if you want, don’t make it a focus of the essay.</p>
<p>@MrMom62 Don’t underestimate the mighty “When I Knew I Was Gay” essay. I know a guy who got accepted to Harvard, Georgetown, and UCB with that essay. </p>
<p>How long ago? Doesn’t have the weight it once did.</p>
<p>@MrMom62 I’m going to have to respectfully disagree, a kid at my school last year used a (embellished) story about when he came out of the closet to get into 5 Ivies, and he matriculated to Harvard. Granted, everything else was there (he participated in some international drumming event), but I can’t imagine the essay played no part whatsoever. </p>
<p>It is not the subject, it’s what you say about the subject. If you have a fresh perspective, then go for it.</p>