<p>Basically, for my 2nd UC essay, I talk about how I like to confront my weaknesses so I can overcome them. I use 2 examples. First is how I'm really short by I became a goalkeeper in soccer to prove I could overcome it.</p>
<p>The second example is what my family thinks I need to completely trash. It's about taking APUSH in order to get over my lack of reading skills. They don't like how I talk about how I don't like reading and am bad at it, but I thought I put enough about overcoming it to make up for it. They also pointed out how I mentioned that I knew I was going to get B's for both semesters of that class (they were the only B's I got that year, and I have only gotten 1 B otherwise). I thought it was good to add because it explained that I took a risk in taking a class that was so difficult for me, and it might make up partly for the B's I got.</p>
<p>I don't know... do you think mentioning APUSH is a risk? Or maybe I should just refrain from talking about my grade in the class? Thoughts?</p>
<p>The first story about being a goalkeeper has some good potential. When you write, I would suggest focusing on your background and the actual events that occured. Ditch this theme of overcoming weaknesses. It’s cliched and completely unnecessary to talk about because the theme will be ‘a given’ in your story.</p>
<p>Your particular subject presents a ripe opportunity for some light-hearted humor. You have a good chance to make yourself likeable and appealing to admissions if you can play off the “shortness disadvantage” by somehow turning it into an advantage - ‘rival teams underestimated you, you created special techniques that match your stature, you got together with teammates to discuss strategies specific to your situation’, etc etc.</p>
<p>The second example is weak. Class grades are not an interesting topic to center a personal statement around. </p>
<p>Try the first one out and see how it goes. If you need more specific pointers on drafting, you can check out the relevant section on my guide here - [The</a> App Style - A College Application Guide](<a href=“http://www.theappstyle.com%5DThe”>http://www.theappstyle.com)</p>
<p>That reminds me of joining tennis as a left-hander. It’s always good to address and admit your weakness and how you overcame them. But as Splash said, talking about ONE single class makes it seem like you have nothing else to talk about. Think about major conflicts such as moving to another city, changing schools, convincing your parents about an idea etc…</p>
<p>Anyways, you’re ahead of me already, I haven’t even thought about the application process yet.</p>