is my common app essay topic okay?

College Essays
1

<p>I want to write about an ongoing experience that has played a huge role in my life: my parents and their arguing. They argue nearly everyday, and it has really split the family apart. There is usually one BIG argument every month or so. Sometimes more frequently than that. I almost always have to be the mediator. Sometimes, their arguments last until 1:00 am in the morning. I am a fairly good student (ranked 21 out of 256 in my class) and I am currently taking five AP classes and one class at my local college. Because of my parents' arguments, there are many cases where I'm not able to study for a test, or prepare for a class because I need to make sure they don't hurt each other. It has really deterred me from getting my full potential grades. Their arguments have a heavy emotional toll on me; it has changed and shaped my life. It's hard to go through the next day after a big argument: I don't feel like talking to anyone, I am emotionally spent, and I am really tired. It's really ennervating not being able to explain anyone why I am so emotionally compromised sometimes, because I haven't told anyone about this situation, ever.</p>

<p>It is not all detrimental however. I have learned a lot from my experiences over time, and with each and every ordeal with my parents, I come out a little bit stronger. I have learned to persist and not give up on trying to succeed, on getting on grades, on keeping up my piano, even though I'm put at a disadvantage from my other peers.</p>

<p>^Just a reminder: this is not the essay itself, this is just a description of the topic I want to write about. Is this an okay topic? I chose to write about this because my grades are sub-par compared to the other students of my caliber (AP students), and I felt that I should explain why. The topic covers a very big part of my life, something that I have had to cope with for a long time. It is part of who I am, and I think colleges should know that.</p>

2

<p>As you said it is part of who you are and this is really important for a good essay. try not to explain your grades too much but talk about what you learned from past and how your experience shaped you.then i’m sure you will have a perfect essay.</p>

3

<p>thanks for the feedback! yes, i know not to talk about my grades. i was just giving you an idea of my academic status. i might just mention how my grades declined because of my parents arguing, but that’s just about as far as I would go.</p>

4

<p>You poor kid! I agree, though – this would be a great essay topic. I think you would find writing about your experiences healing and cathartic, too.</p>

<p>By the way–an aside: Please don’t let your parents’ constant fighting sour you on future relationships (and especially on marriage). My mom and dad fought like the proverbial cats and dogs, yet I’ve been happily married for over 28 years, and DH and I seldom argue (despite my Italian temper, LOL–well, Luvox helps). My siblings are in strong relationships, too. The past does not determine the future.</p>

<p>And be of good cheer…you are obviously a brainy, talented kid. How many teens know what “enervating” means? Heck, how many adults do? :-)</p>

5

<p>Remember that it’s how you present your topic that matters. There are very few bad topics.</p>

<p>Do try to avoid any sort of characterization that seems to throw your parents under the bus or one that comes off as too self-pitying. As someone who wrote about a sensitive family issue myself, those are two things I am thankful I avoided.</p>

6

<p>You know, you don’t have to hold this all in. Try to find a trusted teacher or someone to discuss your feelings with.</p>