“I’d write about a time when she took an actual action to help someone, not just protested something she didn’t like”
This is what my D chose to do. Although her topic wasn’t activism, it was on a controversial subject. She only lightly touched on the subject, and instead used humor to focus on a difficult confrontation about the topic. She felt that if the admin disliked her views that were reflected in the essay, and rejected her, then she truly wouldn’t be a good fit. Don’t get me wrong, she wants the school badly, but felt it more important to be transparent. Also, it helps that she is excited to go with any of her back-ups, because she feels she will succeed and be content wherever she lands. So, a risk, but a well-managed one.