<p>Hi.</p>
<p>The prompt for the essay is "What is something about you that you think goes unnoticed, and why is it important to you?" I want to write about how I'm resilient and I'm a survivor. I did mention that it was my father who abused me; I did not mention that it was sexual abuse. I am putting it in the light of how it made me a better person. I feel really good about the essay; it's definitely honest. Is this too personal a topic for an admissions essay?</p>
<p>First off, I am very sorry that you had to go through that.</p>
<p>Honestly, I think the more personal the better. Just because it shows a clearer picture of what kind of person you are. Remember that being personal does not necessarily mean it has to be some heavy, depressing essay. So I think its good that you focus more on how you grew as a person, so it was not so serious (don’t get me wrong it is a serious issue, it’s just focusing on your growth would lighten it a bit). </p>
<p>Some people editing your essay might say that your essay leaves them with questions. But I suggest that you only answer the ones that are about you. In all honesty, it does not matter about how your father ended up or what your mom thought when she found out (I don’t know if she knows or anything I just am making up examples). This essay is about YOU and no one else. All I am saying is that you should craft your essay in a way that does not make the reader care about your father’s fate as much as your own. Focus on YOUR emotions, YOUR thoughts and YOUR actions. </p>
<p>Hope this helps. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I think you should ask an adult to read it - perhaps your guidance counselor? Depending on how it’s written, this topic could make your reader quite uncomfortable . . . and that’s obviously something you don’t want. </p>
<p>With regard to the above comments about keeping the focus on YOU, I might even suggest making the abuser simply “a relative,” without being any more specific than that.</p>
<p>Good for you to have faced what happened and decided to be a survivor. And best of luck with your applications!!!</p>