<p>i know i wont be applying for a while, but i really hope to get in early action. anyways, i've kind of been through a lot of emotional things in my life, and i kind of want to incorporate some of that into my essays. do you think it will come off as pitiful or something? obviously, my essays wont just be about some tragedy (or even focused on one), but i simply wanted to get those points across about me. Would it maybe not come across properly to the admissions officers, and should i focus on the positive defining moments in my life, instead? thanks a lot for your time, and if any of you got in, do you mind sharing what you wrote about? I know it's all about how you write it and what not, but i just want to hear some ideas.</p>
<p>Basically: is writing a college essay about depressing things in my life a bad thing, and would anybody care to share what they wrote about? </p>
<p>(also, sorry if you saw this already. I accidentally posted in the wrong forum)</p>
<p>You can write about them, but it’ll either be really strong or a complete miss. You need to come at it from an angle showing your strength and not wallowing in the past. The question you need to ask is, “Will someone reading this have a clear picture of someone who is ready for the rigors of X University?” rather than “Will someone reading this feel sorry for me and accept me?”</p>
<p>Think of your college essay as a first date. If you go out on a first date with someone you really like, would you share those details of your life? If so, then whatever you want to write is probably appropriate for your essay. However, if you might hold back those details in a first date until you get to know someone a little bit better, then you should probably not reveal them in your essay. You want to present your “best self” to an Admissions Office.</p>