I’ve started my common app essay but I’m having some trouble with how many words I should put into answering the prompt. I want to do the “discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others” option. Should I spend a majority of my words on describing the event or more on the personal growth that I experienced? Also, how much sad is too sad?
Do it about your growth.
This is a sales job; you want to “give them a reason to say yes.’” So, yes, give them the necessary background, but do it briefly.
But a sad story, regardless of how tragic, won’t get you accepted. It’s what you did, how you grew from that tragedy that will make the difference.
Agree - you don’t want it to turn into a “woe is me” essay. You want to focus on your personal growth/development etc.