What did your student write about for their Common App essay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question- I’ve heard not to write about medical illnesses or being sick. Thoughts?

My DC was diagnosed a year ago with a rare medical disease with a life expectancy of mid-50s. I want to encourage then to write about this experience and living with this knowledge but still living “life to the fullest” and what that means with a possible “end” date. But I don’t want colleges to think they are being sappy or trying to gain empathy. Or think it’s untrue.

Would love feedback on this subject.

The question for your DC to ask themself is how will that show the admissions people that they will contribute something of value to this community or enhance the intellectual, social, or creative life of this campus? Always be thinking about not just showing them who you are, but about how you being you will ripple out into the community, if that makes sense.

Good advice- thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question- I’ve heard not to write about medical illnesses or being sick. Thoughts?

My DC was diagnosed a year ago with a rare medical disease with a life expectancy of mid-50s. I want to encourage then to write about this experience and living with this knowledge but still living “life to the fullest” and what that means with a possible “end” date. But I don’t want colleges to think they are being sappy or trying to gain empathy. Or think it’s untrue.

Would love feedback on this subject.

I'm sorry to hear about this, PP.

Depending on the disorder, and it's impact on your DC, I would be cautious. Writing about illnesses is tricky because often AOs don't want to admit anyone who might have to leave. My DC has an eating disorder that is unlikely to affect them in college (ARFID, they eat a restricted number of foods that are all easily accessible in a college dining hall). It's been a growing experience for sure but in the end it was not mentioned in the essay because "eating disorder" sets off alarms for people. Same problem with other mental health and medical issues. If there is any chance that your child might experience a life limiting health event while in college I would be concerned that that might be held against them in the admissions process.

Or, your DC might decide that any school who doesn't admit them because of this is not a school they want to attend. I think that is also a fair take.

[Anonymous]

Let your kid choose their topic. Don’t tell them what to write about.

He may not identify with his disease (and you should not push him to do so). He probably wants to emphasize how “normal” he is (or wants to work towards recapturing that feeling).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question- I’ve heard not to write about medical illnesses or being sick. Thoughts?

My DC was diagnosed a year ago with a rare medical disease with a life expectancy of mid-50s. I want to encourage then to write about this experience and living with this knowledge but still living “life to the fullest” and what that means with a possible “end” date. But I don’t want colleges to think they are being sappy or trying to gain empathy. Or think it’s untrue.

Would love feedback on this subject.

First of all, good luck to your DC! I hope they live an awesome life. Maybe there will be a cure!

Second of all, I think they could do it if they were a pretty good writer, or if they zoomed in on the medical aspect, or the moment of diagnosis, or something concrete, rather than sinking into any sort of cliche.

And third of all, definitely leave it up to your DC!

[Anonymous]

https://www.conncoll.edu/admission/apply/essays-that-worked/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is a theory that they shouldn't write about sports. My kid wrote about his sport. It was excellent -- no cliches, very personal.

My kid wrote about sports too. I liked it but I am biased. . Into a T20 early.

[Anonymous]

My kid wrote how fun physics is; boring generic topic but he wanted to talk about it.
He got into Purdue engineering. Still waiting for VT, UVA, GT, UIUC
Not sure how much weight engineering schools put on essays

[Anonymous]

Social Media bullying

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question- I’ve heard not to write about medical illnesses or being sick. Thoughts?

My DC was diagnosed a year ago with a rare medical disease with a life expectancy of mid-50s. I want to encourage then to write about this experience and living with this knowledge but still living “life to the fullest” and what that means with a possible “end” date. But I don’t want colleges to think they are being sappy or trying to gain empathy. Or think it’s untrue.

Would love feedback on this subject.

I’d be curious to hear from an actual college app reader about this. I’ve also heard “no death, divorce, disease” topics. I think any well-written topic that shows the committee what the candidate’s like is good. Silly or profound.

I would like to know as well. My DD has a few rare conditions that have absolutely negatively impacted her life. It seems unfair you can’t write about it and be recognized for the maturity and resilience that comes from being diagnosed with a serious illness/condition at a young age.

Is it something they want to write about? Are the able to “show” rather than tell the reader and bring them on the journey? Does it give insight into who they are as a person and how they would contribute to the community? Is it in the voice of a 17 year old and is it yes, that’s Larla or something anyone with that experience could have written?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Question- I’ve heard not to write about medical illnesses or being sick. Thoughts?

My DC was diagnosed a year ago with a rare medical disease with a life expectancy of mid-50s. I want to encourage then to write about this experience and living with this knowledge but still living “life to the fullest” and what that means with a possible “end” date. But I don’t want colleges to think they are being sappy or trying to gain empathy. Or think it’s untrue.

Would love feedback on this subject.

I’d be curious to hear from an actual college app reader about this. I’ve also heard “no death, divorce, disease” topics. I think any well-written topic that shows the committee what the candidate’s like is good. Silly or profound.

There was an essay all over the Internet a couple of years ago by a Harvard student who wrote about losing her mother.

Agree with a PP that the essay has to show what the student would contribute to the community.