<p>So I'm kind of stuck on what to write about. So far I've been told that they have to be:
-recent
-no sob stories
-no bragging
-like a story</p>
<p>So these are the questions:</p>
<p>General Prompt (All): Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?</p>
<p>Freshman: Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how to show them who I am. I'm not really special. I do have an experience that shows who I am but it's kind of sad. Um, it has to do with surviving sexual abuse. I can't do that because it's a sob story and I'm not sure how to make it story-like and interesting. </p>
<p>For the second question, I come from a poor family and I remember living in motel room at a young age. We got an apartment later on and now we're doing good. It made me appreciate the little things in life and want to help others who don't have much. I'm not sure how to make that interesting either. </p>
<p>Well you have been told a lot of things, but the important thing to remember is that when it comes to these things you have to take what everybody else says with a massive pinch of salt (which, yes, does include me and everything I’m about to say.)</p>
<p>What might work for one person’s essay might not necessarily work for yours, and likewise, something that’s not recent, and could be seen as bragging/a sob story, or even something that’s not a story at all could be great for you. The only one-size-fits-all “must” for any essay is that it must be compelling, but there are an infinite number of avenues to that end.</p>
<p>You are the only “you” in existence, which makes you special by definition. Personally I don’t feel that people are defined by their traumatic experiences, and the “what about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud” part is strongly suggesting more of a positive experience to talk about. You definitely have something more character-defining to speak about.</p>
<p>Your idea for the second question sounds like the foundation for a really great essay. Speaking candidly about a past experience is not telling a “sob story” and shame on those who think otherwise.</p>