So basically, I am going to apply to colleges this fall and I’ve been looking at some prompts. A lot of them talk about transition into becoming an adult or overcoming weaknesses. So during the later part of the spring semester of my sophomore year and the earlier part of the fall semester of my junior year, I did drugs. I don’t believe i was addicted, but I was definitely screwing up my life. I don’t know what caused me to drugs and all but I did them. During this span I noticed my grades drop and me behavior change. I felt like overcoming drug influences was an extremely significant part of my life. So what I am wondering is, Would it be alright to talk about drugs and overcoming them in a college application essay?
No. You do not want to talk about doing something illegal in your essay.
Toplel… the comment above. The topic of drugs seems like one of the least appropriate places for absolutes. Especially if the drug in question is either marijuana or LSD. And this is only in the realm of illegal drugs. But since we are talking about addiction, I realize OP is more of a cocaine or meth person.
I would say that an essay about drugs can easily fall into cliche. You’ve undoubtedly read about people’s addiction struggles before. The trick to doing such an essay is twofold. First, write about the topic in a unique way (to show that you’re not a lazy writer or thinker, because doing drugs is an inherently lazy and passive action). This means don’t take the well-trodden path of chronicling your addiction and remission. If there was a moment you decided to quit, that may be of interest. Second, convince us that you’ve learned your lesson, because no university wants a student who might not graduate (in your case because of relapse).
Finally, if there’s something else in your life on which you can write compellingly, choose it instead. I’ll be glad to proofread your stuff when the time comes.
@chowling: agree. Be very careful with this essay if you choose to go down this route.
I think I’d avoid it as well. Overcoming challenges can make for interesting reads, but I’d be concerned discussing a challenge you created for yourself (especially one involving drugs) could backfire on you.