I recently read an essay that worked for one of the colleges I am applying to. The author talks about how an activity with a family member helped them to realize more about that person and changed the relationship between them. After reading the essay, I realized that I had a similar experience with a family member: an activity that we do together helped to improve our relationship. The structure of both the essays and the things learned/specific details are different, but the idea of an activity changing the relationship between two people into a better one is the same. I did not take any specific words or phrases, and I do feel that this essay is my own since my insights, thoughts, structure, and details are different. I basically looked at this essay and got inspiration from it and wrote it in my own way. I just wanted to know if I did anything wrong.
I don’t think so. It’s OK to get ideas from other people.
I don’t think so, College publish some essays for this reason, that you can take ideas for yours.