<p>hi everyone...
first i just want to say that after years of reading this forum it's weird to actually be the in admissions process</p>
<p>second: i need to write my common app essay. i was thinking about doing the first question and addressing a risk ive taken. i want to write about how three days after i got my driver's license, my mom texted me and said i should go visit my grandma one last time in her assisted living home because she probably would only live a few more days (she had lung cancer). even though it was against the law where i live because i hadnt had my license for a year yet, i picked up my brothers up after school and drove them to see her for one last time. i didnt get caught driving them. she ended up passing two days later, and that was the last time we ever saw her. so basically i broke the law to give my brothers and i one last opportunity to see our grandmother.</p>
<p>is this shedding a bad light on me because i broke the law? also, do you guys think that cancer such an overused topic i should avoid it altogether?</p>
<p>i need opinions because my dad doesnt think this essay is a good idea. let me know what you think.</p>
<p>The topic of an essay is not as important as how it’s written. But the test of a good topic is this: How did that event change you? affect you? make you stronger? gives insight on what makes you you? One of the keys to make an essay powerful and memorable is that there was what in film terminology is called character development.</p>
<p>I agree. Plus: when the reader sees your tale, you always want a positive reaction. I’m sure they will see your dilemna, but you never want that Oops! flag to go up. You don’t want them to be concerned about your judgment skills.</p>
<p>It begs the question of why you had to drive. Wasn’t there a legal way of transportation for you and your siblings to see your dying grandparent? Couldn’t you have asked a licensed driver to take you?</p>
<p>It’s hard to imagine that the only recourse was to rely on an unlicensed driver. That to me indicates a lack of judgment and thoughtfulness. It’s hard enough for an experienced driver to drive safely under such stressful circumstances. I shudder to think about what might have happened.</p>
<p>nah don’t write about that. I find your topic to be moving but the admissions officers will say that you could have always taken a taxi or found another person to drive you (friends, neighbors, etc.)</p>
<p>I think that as long as you are able to shine a good light on yourself, maybe by calling it a positive risk… then you are alright. Don’t put too much emphasis on how you broke that law, and make sure that your positive qualities are able to shine. Maybe being close to your family, being responsible enough to pick up your brothers (trustworthy goes along with that as well), being able to discern whether a situation called for rule-breaking–which does show a higher amount of maturity. If you are able to show to the admission reader that it was a positive risk, I think your story is a memorable one that will stick with the reader.</p>