Is writing about race a good idea?

College Essays
1

Hi everyone, I’m a rising senior trying to get a jump start on my essay over the summer (like many of you, I’m sure). I attended a college workshop held by some of the English teachers at my school about a month ago where I decided to flesh out an idea about feeling caught between two races (I’m part Puerto-Rican, but feeling “white enough” or “Hispanic enough” has been a struggle for me my entire life). My teachers really liked it, as they thought it was well-written and showed a lot about myself, which is what a good college essay is supposed to do (at least that’s what I’m told).

My parents, on the other hand, have other ideas. They feel that I would be jeopardizing my application by expressing this “insecurity” and I have another idea that may be more “unique” that they like a lot better. I feel, however, that my ethnic conflict is pretty relevant and shows a lot more about me than my other essay topic would.

I definitely don’t want to be rejected based on this essay, as I think that I’m a pretty good writer and I can write a pretty good essay. If anyone has insight into this issue, please let me know! Also if I need to clarify anything, just ask :slight_smile:

2

Given that your teachers have given it the thumbs up, you aren’t likely to be rejected because of the topic. Resolving issues of identity is one of the important jobs of growing up, and a perfectly valid topic.

That said, a lot of students write about fitting in (b/c of race/culture/gender/sexuality/etc)(so many that it is an optional essay prompt for Duke), and if you have something else that is more unique, tired AdComms readers might appreciate it!

3

^ This, although it really depends on how you spin it. Maybe you managed to write about it in a way that’s fresh, interesting, and specific to you (though it’s hard, which is why writing on a cliched topic is automatically an uphill battle).

4

Thanks for the feedback! @OnMyWay2013 @collegemom3717 I may try to write an essay with my other idea just to see where it goes, and my college counselor is reading this one, so I guess I’ll see what she thinks!