Which prompt does my personal essay fit best under? Prompt #2 or prompt #5?

Hi, I’m a senior applying to some Ivy League schools and other universities this year.

In my personal essay, I’m writing about how I was bullied from 1st-4th grade (not physical, but no one would talk to me no matter how many times I tried to make friends) and how that made me feel like I had to be perfect/the “best” to have worth. I focus mainly how I grew out of that idea through self reflection and learned to love education along the way. I explain that this is how I learned that the only person I have to gain respect from is myself, and that I do things now because they inspire me and give me purpose. I also talk about how this is why I think we as people should try to be kind and understanding to one another- because we’re all struggling in one way, and the way we get through is by helping one another.

I was wondering if you guys thought that this would go more with prompt #2 or prompt #5

Prompt 2: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from that experience?”

Prompt 5: “Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of you or others.”

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I think prompt 2 works better.

Good luck!

I also would choose #2 (and it doesn’t really matter, you can’t make a mistake here).

I encourage you to limit the setup about the bullying in 1st-4th grade to just a few sentences, and spend 90%+ of the essay on the other things you highlighted in your post. Good luck.

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