Will writing about how a family member's illness affected me and my goals make a bad Common App essay?Answered
I am currently drafting my Common App essay and I picked the prompt about gratitude. Is it too unoriginal to write about how a family member's illness affected me and my goals? I also want to connect that topic for the reason I want to go into healthcare. Am I better off scrapping the essay and writing about something less serious? Any feedback is appreciated!
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4 answers
I would say no because if you truly did get your passion from it you should. However; make it different because it is a common essay approach. Also make sure the family members illness is not the highlight of your essay and it focuses more on you and your feelings and qualities.
While your idea is a common essay topic for students who are interested in healthcare, your version of the essay has the potential to stand out. If you tell the story of your family member's illness through powerful narrative and discuss very concrete goals in healthcare, your essay will be better than most, which tend to be vague and cliche. Hope this helps!
Actually based on recent interviews and taking a look into what some colleges look for in an essay, they really want to get to know you and who you are, what things have affected you, etc.. so that's honestly an excellent idea be sure to answer your prompt and bring that topic back in how it relates to you.
If the experience has genuinely affected you, you're better off writing about it.
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