When I read the common application prompt that asked students to describe a background or identity that is essential to their character, I immediately thought of two closely related issues in my life - coming from and extremely devout family and coming to terms with my sexuality. I attempted to write a first draft of an essay dealing with these issues and it just came out sounding extremely self pitying. I’m afraid my essay will seem contrite or petulant. How can I write this essay in an effective way? Is this topic just too big for the limited word count? Should I not write about this at all?
Instead of making the focal point of the essay coming to terms with your sexuality and the struggles that come with it, gear it more towards how it changed you or made you stronger. You don’t want a sob story. It’s great to show struggles, but you want to show strength as well. Maybe focus on your coming out experience. The question of should you write on that topic depends on the school. I wouldn’t talk about coming to terms with sexuality in an essay for a very conservative school. For some schools, you can use this essay for your supplements instead. For example, Duke has a supplement question that encourages you to talk about something like your sexual orientation.
Here is my advice. Ignore the prompts for now. Think about things that make you unique or different or interesting. What do you want to tell admissions that reveals more about you (and how you think) AND makes them want you on campus? Then go back and see if you can fit that into a prompt. The best essays can turn on something very small. You don’t need a sweeping or dramatic topic to write an interesting essay.
No, from what I have seen discussing sexuality is a golden ticket into these schools pushing their “tolerance” agenda. Just make sure your essay is articulate- do not stray away from who you truly are! Goodluck!
@michigan009 I don’t think discussing ANYTHING is a “golden ticket” - articulation and personality shining through are most important. No school lets in people just for revealing their sexuality. Also unsure what a “tolerance agenda” is??
You must have never spoken to an admissions officer to a top school on a personal/private level before
As long as you write it in an effective way, you should be fine. I wrote mine also around my sexuality, and as long as it’s tasteful, it’s perfectly okay to write about!
I do agree with @michigan009, though. Colleges and universities set out to create a well rounded and diverse class. Outing yourself as a sexual minority, especially if you have no other real hooks, can be beneficial to you (of course, this all depends on where you’re applying, and each school is different in how they conduct admissions). It’s no guarantee you’ll get in based on one small aspect of who you are, but it does add a sense of diversity to your profile.
Personally, I think it helped me get into a few schools I wouldn’t have gotten into otherwise. The main thing you should focus on is the main strength of your essay, regardless of the topic. If you have a great topic and a strong execution, it just makes it all the better.
Best of luck to you!