A topic for one of my college admission essays is to “describe a circumstance, obstacle, or conflict in my life and the skills and resources I used to resolve it. And how did it change me?” What would be an example of an essay topic that would be easy to elaborate and show my character, without talking myself down to the college board comity. I am not sure if the traditional “I had low self esteem until this…” is too generic and I’m not sure if thats the right path to take on a first impression essay like this. Any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated.
It is not a therapy session. Remember that the goal of the essay is to make them see something in your personality that makes them want you on campus. Also, the admissions officers did not write the prompts… they aren’t super invested in the questions. My advice is to interpret the prompts fairly liberally, and figure out a story you want to tell them that will interest them. They read hundreds of essays. You want to spark something so they remember you. You are completely right that this is a “first impression” opportunity. What story are you trying to weave with your application? This is a key component of that. Figure out what you want to show them in your essay, then see if you can fit it to a topic.
Absolutely correct. It’s not a therapy session. It’s not Confession. It’s not an audition for Reality TV. Each of those essays have a place in life, but this isn’t it.
The point behind the essay is to “Give them a reason to say yes.” You want to present yourself as they type of person they want to have on campus. That has to be the central idea behind every word you write.
In your shoes, I would find a circumstance, obstacle or conflict that presented itself, not one that implies any sort of weakness. So, for example, if my son were writing, perhaps he could talk about how to best help our neighbors after Superstorm Sandy when everyone had limited resources. It implies that he took action when circumstances got rough, but not that there was anything he would or could have done to prevent those circumstances.
See the difference?
I don’t think low self esteem is a traditional topic at all, likely the opposite. I think you want to retain an element of likability so don’t be a sad sack or a braggart. Are you really meaning that you weren’t outgoing until something happened? Sure I have heard that one before but it is a good starting point, try it out.