My son & I are having a huge disagreement on what to include in the 250 word essay. He is writing it as a story with one experience and I think he should include 3 of his major health care activities with a short blurb about the most interesting aspect of each. He thinks its too fragmented plus his activities are listed on the common app. How do we handle?!!!
I think you let him decide. The activities are already listed. If he’s connected to his story, it will read more authentic and represent him.
It is his essay, not your essay. It is his recounting of his experience, not yours. I would say that, as a parent, even if you were right. However, you are wrong.
It seems that you have the wrong idea about the purpose of the essay. It is not a place for an applicant to talk about all the great stuff they did. That is on the common ap, and in the letters of recommendation. The point of the essay is to show the aspects of himself which aren’t on his application or on his main essay.
Agree with the above posters. This isn’t your application. Your student gets to make this call.
And I also think he’s correct in his approach.
It’s his essay…not yours. Let him do the writing.
Well this is a supplmental essay and it seems to be specifically about experiences in health care. What is the actual prompt or is the topic his own? Is he applying for nursing or a health-related field?
I would think there might be a way to include both approaches. He could being with "In recent years I have had three experiences in health care: (list). One of the most engaging was…and then tell his story.
It does sound as if the prompt is asking for info on all experiences, so I understand where you are coming from.
However, ultimately, it is indeed his choice 
Many of us old-timers can tell you that in the long run, it is your relationship that matters, not the application or college.
One thing you can do is get a third person involved, to avoid arguments. Just for the essays, for instance.
I agree this might be a good approach. Briefly mention all 3 but go on to say but one in particular stands out and impacted his decision to pursue a healthcare field.
In general, there are no “right” or “wrong” ways to handle these essays. Everyone will approach them differently. The goal is to give the admissions folks a better idea of who your son is beyond the list of stuff on his application. I think his approach of going beyond just listing the same activities already on his application is smart and might make his application more interesting to read than it otherwise would be.
I think OP is asking us to be that “third person.”
We don’t know the prompt and yes, that matters. But in general, either way is fine, if done well. Often, they’re not looking for a translation of each of his experiences, but something that shows the substance.
We don’t know, without the prompt.
I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that they are having a huge argument about something that the OP should only be minimally involved in. The essays belong to your son. If he asks your advice then give it. If he asks you to review, then do it. But ultimately it is his application, his essay, his decision. If he ignores your advice and doesn’t get accepted (which may have nothing to do with his supplemental essays) then it’s on him. Why are you so invested in this as to have a “huge argument” over a supplemental essay?
Go easy. This type of conflict during a time of transition for everyone, is pretty common. The kid who writes his own essay with NO input is a rarity these days anyway.
Agree this is common.
But I feel strongly that when the kid hits the Submit button, he should feel confident he gave it his best. Win or lose, he needs to feel that. Not second guess.
With or without parental involvement.
I don’t think essays need to be perfect, by any means
The only time I saw my daughter’s supplemental essay (and her final draft of common app after just one early peek) was just before she hit submit; and the only reason I got to see those then was because I insisted on doing so before giving my signature for ED/credit card details. Now that might be too hands off for some here, but it really was her essay. FWIW, she had a counselor, who didn’t like her supplemental essay (I did, but it was a fait accompli by then anyway). It really was her essay. She got in.
Imagine the argument if he writes what you want and doesn’t get in?
And if he writes what he wants and doesn’t get in, you say nothing but kind words.
This is the opportunity for him to introduce himself to the admissions committee. The essay should highlight your son and his interests, and the idea of using a story about one experience sounds like it would fit the bill. They’ve already got info about the other activities, so there’s no downside to letting him take the reins here.
If he writes what he wants, he will own the admission results.
If you force him to write something else, and the admission results are unsatisfactory, then he will blame you for that.
Prompt is, “Why do you have an interest in this Health care field? Please discuss any experiences you’ve had in this field.”
I agree with all of you that this is HIS essay, and I appreciate the wisdom of advice given here that if results return unsatisfactory will be devastating (more to me probably than him). Couple classmates & a teacher have looked at the essay but … I will tell him, that WHEN he submits these essays, he needs to feel like it is HIS best work and be confident. But I just needed to hear some advice as for the essay, he is very open to suggestions. Thank you all.
Just repeating @PrdMomto1’s thought to, “Briefly mention all 3 but go on to say but one in particular stands out and impacted his decision to pursue a healthcare field.” It’s one sentence, covers that, and can CYA.
None of the essay or short answer writing is like for a hs teacher. No fancy structure needed. The point is still to get readers nodding.