I want to talk about how my friend group in the beginning of junior year was a REALLY bad influence… like horrible. But through them Iearned many things. Let’s just leave it at that. Is that an ok topic?
Sure. As long as your write it well.
Any tips on writing it "well?
You have to word your essay carefully so that you don’t sound arrogant or like you’re blaming your friends for the way you’ve acted. That will be your biggest issue, I think. Other tips for writing “well” are show, don’t tell (use anecdotes, descriptions, dialogue, and give us proof that you are X or that you love Y through your ECs, academic and career interests, etc.). Don’t use too much big vocabulary; write as you naturally do, and make sure the tone of your writing matches the tone of your topic (don’t try to be funny writing about serious things).