<p>I have a potentially effective idea (but terrible experience) to write about for my supp essay. To me, I don't think it should offend the potential person but I don't want it too. </p>
<p>without going too much into the story, (beware, heavy stuff ahead) I got my gf pregant and she got an abortion. wow, that was really hard to write. </p>
<p>I've written some of the essay, but in five minute periods because i really can't handle to think about it for more than that. its not going into any justification of abortion, which is not the point of the essay. The point is what i took from the experience and how it relates to a college/harvard education's implications for myself. its really more complicated than that, though, as you may understand. maybe ill ask for critiques when im done, but i doubt it. posting this now is personal enough. and not to be cocky but I don't think I should take other's opinions into this very very personal essay.</p>
<p>enough of extrapolating, is this too risky? I mean, I'm not outing myself as a bad person (if they think this makes me a bad person that's pathetic), and I'm not saying that abortion was the right thing to do. im just saying it happpened and leaving it at that, the essay is of course essentially about me. but i don't know what the adcom will believe or might pick up. </p>
<p>yeah...so that's my question. thanks to all who read this. i don't need condolences, but I will appreciate a "sorry, man" if you feel need be. what i do need is an opinion on my question =)</p>
<p>If you can't write it in more than 5 minute pieces, you shouldn't write it at all. Your essay WILL come up in your interview, and if you can't even write it comfortably you definitely won't be able to talk intelligently, clearly, and concisely about it.</p>
<p>I agree too. You have to be able to talk about it and show that while it was a major point in your life, you are still moving forward and not lingering on the past.</p>
<p>Only talk about negative experiences in your essay if you can leave the reader with a net positive feeling afterwards. By the end of 500 words you would want them to be thinking about how amazing you are, and not about the tragedy of abortion. You would have to be careful about how you write it, but I think that's doable.</p>
<p>I don't know... It might raise ethical questions, not necessarily about abortion, but maybe underage sex as well. There are a lot of conservative and senior adcoms that might out you just for that. I'm just not sure it would be a good topic to bring in front of the admissions committee if you want to be accepted.</p>
<p>I agree and think that this is probably NOT a good topic to write about. I do believe that it would be too risky of a subject especially for the ivy level of universities. I'm not trying to be a jerk to those schools, but I can picture the admissions officers being VERY judgemental of the topic at hand. Who knows though, I'm not in college or anything. I would try to ask better sources on this site such as current students or graduates. I would also possibly even e-mail a different university or try to find a former admissions officer to a university and ask for their two cents on the topic. Whatever you decide to do, good luck. Who knows, maybe it could make an exceptional essay as the topic would make you different and stand out whether in a good or bad light.</p>
<p>I wouldn't. Even if they agree, they would question your taste (I really don't mean this offensively) in writing about getting someone pregnant, and then having that person abort the baby. It's just so risky, and they may deem that essay to be "TMI."</p>
<p>I'm trying to say that I'm not writing about the "events," but about my reactions/changes. In fact the first paragraph out of three I've written starts when she told me, and by the second everything is "done with." thats sounds so terrible but im writing it this way so the essay won't be about abortion/teen pregnancy but about me. and the former is the main problem I don't want the adcom to pick out and nail me for satan. </p>
<p>but anyway, I'm probably not going to finish it because I don't want to jeopordize any chances I have. Its not like one essay can make me anyway...but it can break me.</p>
<p>I agree - I strongly discourage you from writing about this. Too many questions will be raised, your school might be contacted (did you break any laws?), that kind of thing.</p>
<p>Save it for a book when you're in your 30's (and of course, not planning to run for election), not your college essay for Harvard</p>
<p>I understand, and it's good that you at least know to focus it on you. What I meant was that some things are private, and many adults (i.e. Jean Twenge, others, and probably adcoms) are increasingly concerned with the lack of discretion exhibited by teens. The adcoms may question your judgment if they consider your topic to be incredibly inappropriate. Not that they necessarily will, but it is a huge risk.</p>
<p>im sure i'll think of another essay to write, which will certainly be a lot easier than this one x_x
once again thanks for the help, which more likely than not will benefit me in the long run.</p>
<p>Don't let people on the internet change your mind that easily! Talking about abortion would not be a chance killer. Adcoms are people too and they understand students sometimes have to make difficult decisions in difficult situations. Your application (from what I hear) will be read by multiple people, so some bible-thumping adcom isn't going to throw it out on sight. </p>
<p>And if there was ever a time for lack of discretion, this would be it. Adcoms don't want you to cover up stuff; they want a complete and honest picture of who you are and what has shaped your life. Is there the possibility your teachers/counselor might mention this event in their letters? As an adcom I would be worried why you weren't upfront about it and question just how well you're actually dealing with it.</p>
<p>^That would be the argument for it. But not only the Bible-thumping adcoms might have a problem with it. Again, it's a question of judgment and discretion. The latter is valued.</p>
<p>My side job as a producer of low-budget bondage films may have affected many aspects of my life, but that doesn't mean that it makes a good essay topic. I'm not comparing the two; I'm pointing out that significant events don't necessary come across well in an essay. They want an honest picture, but such a candid essay may be too personal.</p>
<p>As a parent, I would say not to write about it. My views have changed and become much more conservative as I've gotten older. Most adcoms are older and probably a bit more conservative. With age comes wisdom and my advise would be to write about something else in your life that has affected you or influenced you. Surely, there has to be something else in your life to write about. Your future may depend on it. I agree with h-bomber, if you can't discuss it here on this anonymous forum how are you going to discuss it in person? </p>
<p>Best of luck to you! </p>
<p>p.s. as a mom, I hope you learned from this incident!</p>
<p>Write about it if it conveys you. You don't necessarily have to be swayed by the people here. I'm not really sure if you can pull it off, but don't stop from taking a risk - as I know some of my cousins did and were successful (not abortion, but nevertheless...). And piccolojunior, i believe, is an example who took a risk with his essay and succeeded.</p>
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My side job as a producer of low-budget bondage films may have affected many aspects of my life, but that doesn't mean that it makes a good essay topic.
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<p>As a full-time student I could not find a job anywhere that paid enough to support me and my elderly parents. In order to pay the rent, I decided to take a job as an assistant producer of bondage films. On my first day I was absolutely terrified, but I knew I had to do it. Something wonderful happened that day. I discovered my co-workers were average, everyday people, and that their alternative sexual practices did not make them bad people. In fact, it only enhanced my view of what multi-faceted and fascinating creatures we humans are. The change in my perspective was so profound I decided become the president of my local Campaign for Diversity. I now fight to make the world a more open and accepting place for everyone, regardless of their personal choices. Hopefully I can continue the fight at College X.</p>