I'm a military kid and it's obviously a huge part of my life. Do you guys think this can be a strong central theme for a college application essay, or should I focus on something else?
Absolutely, your experiences as a military kid can be a strong theme for your college essay. The key is to integrate your personal growth, the experiences that have shaped you, and how they've influenced your viewpoints, ambitions, or personal identity.
Remember, colleges are always looking for unique perspectives that shape the diversity of their student body. Being part of a military family has given you experiences others may not have - for example, moving frequently, living in different states or countries, or adapting to unique challenges such as having a parent deployed.
Use these experiences to highlight resilience, adaptability, global awareness, or any other quality that you've developed. Be sure to steer clear of cliche narratives around 'overcoming adversity.' Instead, focus on how these circumstances have shaped your personality, perspective, or goals.
For instance, if frequent relocations made you adaptable and comfortable with change, tie that into how you're ready to tackle the next big change: college. Or, if dealing with a parent's deployment made you more resilient, talk about how you've used that resilience in other aspects of your life.
Remember, the essay is a way to show colleges a part of you that isn't reflected in your grades or extracurriculars - use this opportunity to reveal your unique personality and experiences.
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