Howdy! I'm working on my college essays and one of the prompts is about the most important relationship in my life. Not quite sure how to structure it or start it. Any ideas, pointers, or similar examples that could help?
Sure! The key to tackling such a personal essay is to ensure that it offers unique insights into who you are as an individual and how the relationship you're discussing has shaped your perspective, values, or goals.
Begin by brainstorming to identify the relationship that you want to explore. The most important relationship in your life can be with anyone – a family member, friend, teacher, mentor, etc. Be sure that you choose a relationship that has genuinely influenced your personal growth and development.
In terms of structuring your essay, you might want to follow this pattern:
1. Introduction: Briefly introduce the person with whom you share this important relationship. It's a nice touch to start with an anecdote that captures the essence of your relationship.
2. Narrative: Tell the story of your relationship. What were the significant moments or turning points? Here, you can dive into specific experiences or shared activities that had a tangible impact on you. Did your relationship with this person introduce you to a new interest? Did they support you during difficult times or motivate you to expand your horizons?
3. Impact: Discuss how this relationship has impacted you and helped shape your character, perspective, or goals. Here, you want to illustrate the connection between your relationship and your personal growth.
4. Conclusion: End by looking forward and highlighting how the lessons you've learned from this relationship will inform your future, both in college and beyond.
Bear in mind that admissions officers are looking for your personal voice and your perspective. Avoid letting the person you're talking about overshadow you in your essay. The goal is to showcase your personal growth, your character, and your potential, rather than merely talking about how great or inspiring the other person is. It's your application, after all!
For example, if the most important relationship in your life is with your grandmother who taught you how to cook authentic dishes from her home country, you could talk about how those cooking sessions nurtured not just a love for food, but a deeper understanding of your cultural heritage. You could connect that to your aspiration to major in culinary science or cultural studies, or your passion for sharing your culture with others.
For some examples of this kind of essay written by real students, you might want to check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/upenn-thank-you-essay-examples/. The prompt these students were responding to asks them to write a thank-you letter to someone in their life, which is not exactly the same as writing about the most important relationship in your life, but many of the same ideas apply, and the post breaks down exactly what they did well and where they could improve.
Remember, the authenticity of your story is what will set your essay apart. Best of luck with your essay!
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