I know it’s really common for essays about other people to be rejected or frowned upon because it might not reveal much about the writer’s character. That said, I’m actually torn between adding in more about myself in an explicit way that somehow disrupts my writing “voice” or taking it out and leaving the possibility of adcoms rejecting my essay.
I think the time to play with being clever was September or October. You could have had a number of people with experience look at it and give you feedback.
At this point in time, I’m not sure you have the luxury of time to play with different writing styles on the Common App. I vote for a straight essay.