<p>Would you recommend writing an essay on a topic that is thoroughly supported by your application (ex. doing lots of medical research and writing about how it affected you) or on a topic that the admission officer has little clue about (ex. an insightful outlook or take on your family environment)?</p>
<p>I would write it on the topic that the admission officer has little clue about...the application is supposed to give a FULL representation of you. They know your ECs are great (especially if it's research), but many people will have the same essay topic. Writing about family environment would make you seem more human and unique (if done right).</p>
<p>As long as you aren't restating your accomplishments, I'd say choose definitely choose something that the rest of your application supports. It shows a passion, it lends a strong sense of cohesion, and it demonstrates something about you. If you can, integrate the two.</p>