Would it be a bad idea to write my Common App essay about a phobia? I’m thinking about using the “Describe a problem you’ve solved or would like to solve, explain its significance and the steps you took to try to solve it” prompt, but it seems like it would also fit in the failure essay topic or the meaningful identity/background essay.
Anyway, I’ve had moderate to severe emetophobia (the fear of vomit) my entire life and I recently started going to therapy for it this past summer. It’s one of the most under-researched phobias out there and there is no guaranteed cure. Because of this, I’ve become interested in researching this phobia as an independent project during college, to try and help others once I’ve gotten a better handle on my own phobia. It is one of the only things I can pinpoint that has drastically changed my life, which is why I am considering using it for my essay. I would, of course, focus on how I’ve become a stronger person through dealing with this rather than all of the things I can’t do because of my phobia.
Will colleges view this negatively? It’s a big part of who I am, but I can see why they’d be hesitant to admit a student who is deathly afraid of throw up. I don’t want to use this as any sort of “sob story” or make the reader pity me, but I don’t really have any other unique qualities or talents that I feel would be eye-catching or relevant enough to write about.
Well, imagine attending the admission’s committee meeting. Of course you want to stand out, but I am not sure that vomitus is the image that you want in their minds. Probably too much information.
You might make it personal but general about how a young person faces fear and anxiety to overcome (or adapt to) a problem and how that prepares you or influences you in regard to college.
@WISdad23 Haha, okay, good point. I wasn’t planning on being graphic with it or anything, but mainly focusing on how it’s changed me as a person.
Would writing about just plain anxiety and fear not be too generic for an essay?
I don’t think the details of the pathology are as relevant to college admission as are the details of the struggle and its outcome.
I had a relatively funny story about one of my fears that fulfilled the prompt and was interesting/insightful. I think it works pretty well actually.
I think if you make it somewhat funny and maybe give a couple of anecdotes about the lengths you went to in order to avoid vomiting combined with the strength it took to actually address the problem and try to overcome it, it could be a good topic. Your interest in wanting to help others with similar problems shows your character and that should come across well.
Everyone is repelled by vomit. Is a fixation with vomit what you want the AdComms to remember you by? How does this want them to say YES?
I’d stay clear of topics about repellent bodily fluids.