<p>If you write a personal essay to colleges about a fault that you have and are trying to overcome, would they count that against you? I'm not talking about anything that's really bad, but let's say you write an essay about how you were lazy in your junior and your grades slipped, would they not accept you on the basis of that. That's not my essay topic or anything, but I was thinking of writing it on a negative characteristic of mine. It's meant to be funny, but my older brother said that I might not want to submit it to colleges. What do you think about this?</p>
<p>I say NO. I say this because your job as the applicant is to show them the best of you. Now overcoming a characteristic is a lot harder to write about then overcoming evil sausages trying to eat your liver. I just think it would be boring, and might not show how you've changed and overcome.</p>
<p>It's hard to say without knowing what the trait is. this kind of essay can be very effective if done with wit and a certain self-deprecating humor. Just make sure that your "fault" doesn't damage your character in the reader's eyes. Character is important to colleges.</p>
<p>So if I can make this "slightly negative" essay funny then it's okay? I'm not really a serious person, so hopefully that won't be too hard. Although I am serious about this topic...if that makes sense ;)</p>
<p>Now that we've chatted Diana I fully support this idea! :)</p>
<p>Self-deprecating humor is often terrific, and your proposed essay really is a positive essay because it says that you are strong enough and confident enough to discuss this fault or problem in an honest, self-deprecating, humorous way; and that you are capable of recognizing and addressing perceived problems. All positive things. Your essay can also mention various strengths of yours on the way as well.</p>
<p>So I think it can work, but I would be sure to get some critically-minded people to read a draft of it when you are ready.</p>
<p>how about an essay about how you tested your limits and figured them out. I was thinking about an essay about how I went white water rafting on vacation and I fell in, lost my only pair of eyeglasses, etc and discovered that some extreme sports are not for me and that I discovered that discovering your limits are just as important as expanding your boundaries to make a balanced person. Of course, this doesn't really make me sound bad but I'm scared that colleges may look at me as a little reckless (of course I learned from this experience which is the point of the essay).</p>
<p>i think it's nice because it shows you can laugh at yourself? </p>
<p>what is your topic? o_O</p>
<p>so save me: I'll PM you my topic since I'm not sure if I should really post it because of that sticky thing at the top of this forum lol.</p>
<p>ADad: Would you be willing to read my essay and help me fix it? Since you brought it up and are probably critical-minded lol.</p>
<p>Sure, feel free to PM it to me.</p>
<p>pm me your topic too if you want, i'm having a similar problem.. mines more about a negative experience that i overcame, but i'm acfraid it soudns like ia m trying to make myself look like a victim. maybe we can help eachother!</p>