I’m applying to Berkeley and one of the essay questions is this:
“Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?”
My parents’ physical and emotional abuse was certainly the biggest challenge I faced in high school, but I feel like mentioning this is risky. Of course, my whole essay wouldn’t just be about that. It does provide better explanation as to why I got such a low GPA one semester and why I moved abroad to live with relatives after sophomore year. But my grades have significantly improved since. I also wanted to connect it to how moving abroad was one of the best things that happened to me because it gave me a broader perspective of the world. Should I take the risk?
If I were you ( I would wanna be me too - from Megan Trainor) , I would write how moving abroad is one of the biggest things you’ve ever faced, I think you may have more to write. You don’t want your essay to look like a sob story about your parents but if you can channel it in a non-sob story way, then go do it. Help with mine?
@baronnessanna Thanks for your reply! I considered writing about moving abroad too, but it felt more like a fresh start than a challenge? But on the other hand, I completely agree with you about avoiding a sob story. Ugh I feel so conflicted
I think that’s an awful lot to cover in one essay, while still giving the reader a reason to say yes to your application-- and THAT’S the point behind this essay. You want to show them that you would be a great addition to their student body.
Does the essay you’re thinking of writing accomplish that goal?
The thing that you have to remember is to not complain the whole time. You have to turn it around and look at it in a positive light, like why it made you stronger, or a better stronger, or what you learned from it.
