<p>I've been thinking about College Essay topics and this one seems to be a potential topic... i think?
I struggle with a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder (entered high school at 50-60lbs and weak), called Crohn's Disease, which has inspired me to want to specialize in gastroenterology and have empathy for others who have similar disorders. I want to inspire others and show them that you can live a healthy and successful life with the restraints of a chronic illness. Before the condition was diagnosed in 2006, I was the average B student in middle school with no thoughts about future education or potential careers. After the diagnosis, I came to the realization that I want to follow the medical track to 1) discover research into the field of gastroenterology and 2) again, empathize with others and be able to more effectively diagnose similar conditions of other patients. After released from the hospital, my grades and effort all went up in response to this rather saddening event. But, nonetheless, I still take a vast amount of pills each day and must continue to visit doctors frequently (The condition involves "flare ups", in which parts of my digestive tract become seriously inflamed - was admitted to the hospital two days before freshman orientation for a relapse)..... It has given me passion...I would write my essay about how the experience in hospitals, diagnosing, tests, and relapses of the condition have changed my view on life and what I want to do with my life in the future with my education and helping others.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long post, but does this seem like a rather compelling/interesting essay topic? Or does it sound too cliche and an attempt to pull out the sympathy card..</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>OMG MY COUSIN JUST GOT DIAGNOSED WITH CROHN’S!!! I think it’s a great topic to write about. Just don’t make it a pity party or an autobiography an you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips! That’s what i’m nervous about, I hate having people feel bad for me - I’d rather show more the growth and development from the condition… any other critiques/reviews of the topic itself? I’d just like a few different opinions… :)</p>
<p>Bump…anyone who can provide some advice?</p>
<p>This is so crazy. I was diagnosed with crohn’s back in 07’ and used it as a practice college essay in my AP lit class. My teacher loved it, so yes go with it.</p>
<p>Oh, wow! Good to know! Are you a rising senior as well?
Anyone think it would be too much of a “sob story” and would not really work?</p>
<p>It seems like it’s been a big part of your life, so I don’t think it would be too much of a sob story… I think you have the right focus, saying that it inspired you, etc. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yup I’m a rising senior as well. It’s nice to know someone else has crohn’s too. I don’t think it would be a sob story if you talk about how it helped you work harder.</p>
<p>I think its a good topic, sometimes it helps to write about the hard facts of a difficult issue so it doesn’t feel like you are feeling sorry for yourself but the reader still understands the seriousness of it</p>
<p>I think it’s definitely a great overcoming adversity type of topic, the biggest thing I honk you ought to focus on is the structure of your essay. focus mainly on the overcoming, with reference to the adversity. not vice versa. does that make sense?</p>
<p>think* sorry haha auto correct -_-</p>
<p>Make sure you highlight the fact that the drive helped you improve in school. </p>
<p>Good luck! I’m debating whether I should write an essay about a disease I have which also includes “flare ups”…</p>
<p>I already wrote one about my crohns. Haha no joke!</p>
<p>Wow, lots of crohnies on CC, lol! Thank you to all replies. Yes, Shannon, that definitely makes sense. I don’t want to share all the difficulties and make them feel bad for me, I wanna show how its been a motivation pretty much. Definitely CPU, it was the one thing that made me know what I wanna do with my life… It made me jump from “average A-B unmotivated middleschooler” to the “advanced top 10 student”. Thanks so much!</p>