Sad college essay- explains a lot, but doesn't reflect my personality at all...

College Essays
1

<p>I am one of the happiest people you'll ever meet. Classmates, teachers, friends, family- everyone has made a comment about it at some point. I'm always laughing, always giving out hugs, friends with almost everyone at my school without having to pretend.... </p>

<p>However, my family life doesn't reflect that at all. I don't want pity, I don't want to be cliche and write a "smile that hides 1000 tears" essay (and really, there are no tears at all), but I do want to explain why I do not have straight As. My essay wrapped up in a nutshell is how my grandma that raised me defied stereotypes and inspired me to do the same, and how her death (the result of hospital negligence) as well as my parents' various addictions and my mom's series of mental breakdowns inspired me to want to go into the medical field. Essentially what happened, I wanted to write an inspiring essay that tells a lot about my personality and how I don't let bad events drag my dreams down, in addition to explaining.... Well frankly I'm rereading the essay now and almost traumatized by what I wrote, haha.</p>

<p>What are some methods of dealing with topics like this? Or should I abandon altogether? I'm thinking about writing two college essays, and making the other one funny...?</p>

2

<p>First off, sounds like a winner.
Be careful about which details you choose to include and which you leave out. Even if it doesn’t tell the entire story, leave out things that do not directly relate to your point. I wrote about something with a traumatic event as well, and I found it very difficult not to tell the full story.
Reconsider writing 2 essays. You can write a funny supplement, but showing that you can be funny and serious in one unified paper would be a great technique.
Good luck, feel free to message me. Sounds interesting, I’m happy to read it. I’m a senior, and I’m applying. I’m not an expert, but I’m happy to give a stranger my impressions.</p>