Risky or Inappropriate Common App Essay Topic?

<p>I've been struggling with deciding on a topic on my college essay, and I've written a few different ones that I feel come off boring and cliche. I have a topic in mind and very quickly wrote a draft and found it was easy to write about, but I feel it might be a negative to colleges if viewed in the wrong way. Both of my parents are "recovering alcoholics" (you can never be "cured") but have not drank in years, esp. my dad who has never been drinking during my life, although my mom had about one year when she "relapsed." I wanted to write about how I understand the risks of becoming addicted to alcohol much more than many teenagers, and how my experiences have affected the way I view alcoholism as a disease and how I'm striving to achieve in my life, although I understand the greater risk I am at for developing this addiction, and therefore must be more careful. Also, I wrote about how my childhood was a very happy one despite how many people might view children of alcoholics. My parents understood what led to their addictions and therefore made an environment where I would never feel like I have to face my problems all alone, as they did.</p>

<p>Is this topic too inappropriate for a college essay? Would colleges just view me as a risk to admit to their class? I'm just asking because this topic is something I actually feel strongly about, I feel this essay would be very honest and real.</p>

<p>hell to the no. ive read one about a girl hating her father because he was an alcoholic, and it was some of the most powerful prose ive ever read. please write your essay on this.</p>

<p>Thanks for your feedback!
I definitely don’t hate my parents, although I guess I was angry at my mom at the time. It’s would be more just about how it has influenced my views, and the misunderstanding many people have about alcoholism.</p>

<p>Anyone else?</p>

<p>I think you can do it justice.</p>

<p>Obviously this is something that has deeply affected you and how you perceive different aspects of the world (addiction, yes, but perhaps also personal responsibility, family, &c). I think it’d be really good for showing how responsible, mature, and thoughtful you are. If you’re worried about looking like a risky student to admit (don’t be, seriously), you can just emphasize a little more clearly your determination and your parents’ determination to not create that situation again.</p>

<p>And if you feel very strongly about it, your writing will be honest and true and will resonate with the reader, even if you don’t consider yourself a fantastic writer, because this is a subject that matters to you.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Sounds good to me!</p>

<p>Thank you all so much!</p>