<p>I'm planning on writing about how my father's death and my mom's diagnosis with MS gave me a new appreciation for life and a fascination with the 'average' 2 parent family.</p>
<p>Is this overdone? Thanks!</p>
<p>Sweetie, just be yourself. Have confidence that if it is really meant for you to get in whatever school it is, then it will happen. Write your essay and pour your heart out. If this is really where you want to go, make them hear your voice. Don’t worry, you don’t have to get every single word or sentence right. Just know that you make the university. The university doesn’t make you.
My point is you can’t really can’t overdue anything if it’s coming from the heart. If its you, its not over-done, its not flawed, but it’s YOU. Get my point?</p>
<p>thanks! i need to work more on making it more heartfelt and less fancy-sounding.</p>
<p>i’m just concerned that the idea has been overused (i.e.: like scoring the winning goal at a soccer game or something)</p>
<p>I would suggest more on your appreciation of life and new perspectives/hopes and less on mom and dad. Mention them but don’t let it run your entire paper (like every sentence) …just so they won’t think you are guilt-tripping.
Other than that., it sounds good. 
Seems like you have an amazing story, and sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>yeah i’m only gonna mention what happened but the whole thing is gonna be about how it changed my perspectives. and thank you so much, i appreciate your care :)</p>
<p>If it is something that changed your outlook on life, go for it. It will set you apart, but like saye329 said, don’t let it take over your essay. Tell them how you think this new view will help you with the challenges that adult life brings. Whatever you decide to do with your essay, though, make sure it is unique. I don’t think they like seeing the same essay written 10,000 ways. Good luck, and sorry for your loss.</p>
<p>I think every topic there is to write about has been written about. It is true that some topics might be better than others but it really is all about the essay itself. Agree with the others that make sure your focus on yourself, how everything affected you and changed you.</p>
<p>Hey diddly, I think your topic is great, and you can definitely make it work. I actually read an essay that this girl wrote about her mom having MS. It was on JHU’s “Essays That Worked” page, so they must have liked it. Read it and see if it gives you some inspiration.</p>
<p>[Johns</a> Hopkins University Office of Undergraduate Admissions - Apply - Essays That Worked](<a href=“http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/essays.html#essay3]Johns”>http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/essays.html#essay3)</p>
<p>thank you everyone! the essay is almost entirely about myself so far except for when i talk about my dad’s passing. i’m writing about a fishing trip when my cousin said really bad things about death to me (narrative style) and how it’s gonna be a reflection on me and some other things to tie it together. and LEMMY I HAVEN’T SEEN YOU IN 5EVAR but thanks for that essay! it did give some inspiration :)</p>