<p>Is it a bad idea to write a sort of sad essay? I mean, one that details something from my childhood but has affected me as a person. I don't want it to sound cliché or guilt-trippy. </p>
<p>The point of the essay is to make a college want to accept you and have you on campus. Don’t take the prompts too literally – they don’t REALLY want your dirty laundry. Your goal is to find something unique and interesting about yourself to write about that makes them want to bring you on board. That may help answer your question…</p>
<p>It depends on the topic. Generally they say to avoid the d’s: depression, death, divorce, drugs, disorder, and I forget what else. lol</p>
<p>But I think as long as the message stays positive, for example overcoming a challenge. Like talk about how you used that sad thing to become a better person. Or how you turned a bad situation into a good situation.</p>