Should I use the "Create Your Own Prompt" Common App Prompt #7?

College Essays
1

I’ve asked my counselor and he gives me very unhelpful and vague responses and since I will be a first generation college student, my parents are unable to help much. I’m confused as to whether or not I should choose the last Common App Prompt (making your own prompt essentially) and use an essay I wrote about the representation of Middle Eastern Americans in the media, as I am a Middle Eastern American woman myself. I would add specific details about how I am personally impacted by the misrepresentation, etc. However, I’m skeptical because I worry that it will not show the schools I am applying to enough about me personally (although it does show my writing style).

A little background on me: I am Middle-Eastern (Iranian) applying to Occidental College, American University, George Washington University, and University of Virginia for International Relations/ Political Science.

Also, if anyone would be willing to review the essay itself, I would be very thankful (message me)

Thank you!

2

The whole point of these essays are for the admissions officers to learn more about you and identify if you would be a good fit for the uni.
A media overview doesnt show too much of who u are eventhough u could mention how it affects you.
I would suggest going with something more personal, maybe one of the other questions would be a better option.

3

I agree.

The point of your essay is not to educate, and it’s not to show that you can write. It’s to show them why they should accept you.

I think that this particular topic could too easily veer into one of those other directions.

I would (quickly, if you’re a Senior) come up with something else.