Stay away from negativity. Find a more positive example of a challenge that your child has overcome, and focus on how they were changed by that experience.

Omg do not write about this topic OP! For all of the reasons other posters have said.
Disastrous for application.

Can DC highlight......

It's not a unique story. School is tough and stuff, coaches, peers can be problematic, mean, characters.

Can highlights an academic or personal challenge that took resourcefulness and tenacity and fortitude to overcome without seeming like DC is making a personal attack?

Fwiw, my DS wrote a great essay that took aim at his high school experience, but in a way that was generic enough not to throw the school or a specific teacher or faculty member under the bus. It was more about how a particular education system has problems that are endemic, not the particular high school, though he mentioned generically that teachers and students would do "x" and as a result, the effect on him was "y" and he had to learn to deal with that, and ultimately overcome "y" (because it was either that or home schooling, which was never in the cards anyway). In the end, despite the challenges posed by the education system, he persevered and is stronger for having done so.

It depends on how good of a writer he is in general. It could go very badly or very well.

Anonymous wrote:NEVER, EVER complain about a school, professional or personal relationship unless it's objectively bad. Objectively means legally: someone was at least arrested by police, if not sentenced.

Otherwise you come across as a whiner if you don't have evidence.

This 100% and 100% again.

OP you're backing the wrong horse. Drop this and focus on something genuinely positive ( rather, have your kid do this)

This topic leaves the impression DC really struggled to overcome the situation. Write about a struggle that was conquered successfully and avoids leaving the impression that DC had a fundamentally rough ride through HS with no relief.

NEVER, EVER complain about a school, professional or personal relationship unless it's objectively bad. Objectively means legally: someone was at least arrested by police, if not sentenced.

Otherwise you come across as a whiner if you don't have evidence.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s a good idea, the same way in a job interview you don’t say you’re leaving your old position because your boss is a monster even if it’s true.

+1 I would not recommend discussing anything negative about the school at all, especially bad experiences with faculty or staff. I don't see the upside.

I don’t think it’s a good idea. Even though it is a major accomplishment to deal w a very difficult person, it doesn’t come across well to use valuable real estate to describe a difficult person. A situation is ok, but a difficult person makes your DC sound petty of difficult himself.

https://www.collegeessayguy.com

I'd see if this guy has anything to say about the subject.
I think it could be okay for the "overcome" essay but probably hope my kid could write something else for the main essay. But I'm no expert.

Is this really students strongest suit? Resilience is important but is there a topic DC could choose to highlight resilience without railing on a teacher? That is risky.

I don’t think it’s a good idea, the same way in a job interview you don’t say you’re leaving your old position because your boss is a monster even if it’s true.

DC and I discussing essay topics. Just wondering thoughts on a topic that reflects on one's experiences with a coach or teacher AT the HS you are in. Obv. that person would not see it, right? But I assume the counselor will.

DC has had an experience that is really, truly, pretty miserable with a staff member (I don't want to specify further). DC has show true grit to stick with it, get past the negativity, and lots of other aspects of dealing with this person (people, actually). There is no option to not deal with these people if DC wishes to accomplish a particular goal. The entire thing -DC's experience- stresses me out and causes a lot of anxiety in me as an adult (and I am no shrinking violet and could write a hell of an essay if I were in DC's shoes). I don't know how DC handles it with such grace. (FTR, I've not approached these people or done anything re: DC navigating it other than supporting/encouraging).

Just wondering:
-has anyone's DC written an essay that is linked to the HS they currently attend; and
-how do you think this would be received by colleges (not asking if YOU personally think it is whiny or whatever, as I know those opinions run the gamut and I'm not even sure I know how I come out on that, but schools)?


This is not a done deal, or anywhere close to it, as we are just approaching the time for this in the next year. I just wanted crowdsource opinions.