<p>Hey...
My essay topics are pretty open-ended. Last year I applied for the peer counseling program at my school and we had to write an app. essay for that, so I wrote about how 8th grade bullying made me stronger and more assertive and more sensitive to others today. My AP English teacher is telling me I <em>HAVE</em> to use that for my college essay...but...I don't want to sound too whiny or anything. I've heard you have to be very cautious on writing about stuff you've been through because you don't want to sound martyr-ish.
Or is it just the way I write it?
What do you guys think.......</p>
<p>When my brother applied to Brandeis early decision (2005), he wrote his essay on being severely bullied in elementary/middle school. He had lower stats than most applicants for Brandeis, but got in early decision. Thinking back on it, it was probably the perfect topic for a school like Brandeis, which places a strong emphasis on social justice, as well as for my brother, who is on his way to medical school while the kids that once bullied him have fallen off the face of the earth.</p>
<p>Long story short: I think it's a very personal and sensitive topic, but if you can write about it in such a way that the adcom appreciates you rather than pities you, go for it.</p>
<p>Sweet, thanks. My English teacher liked it. I'll just modify it to meet the prompt as opposed to PC and run it by her to see if she likes it.
Congrats for your brother! I'm thinking either lawyer or english prof. but i have to get to school 1st =)</p>
<p>No problem!</p>
<p>Those of us who were bullied in school eventually come into our own. :-) Good luck to you!</p>