Hey everyone, I鈥檓 getting a head start on my Common App essays and Prompt 2 is really tripping me up. I鈥檓 just not sure how to approach writing about an obstacle I鈥檝e faced and how I鈥檝e overcome it without sounding clich茅. Have any of you tackled this prompt? What angles did you consider that felt truly personal and unique?
It's fantastic that you are beginning your essays early and giving thoughtful consideration to how you present your experiences. With Prompt 2, the key is to delve into the introspection and growth aspect rather than the obstacle itself. Everyone faces challenges, but what admissions officers are really interested in is what you've learned and how you've changed because of the experience.
For example, rather than focusing on the difficulty of an injury, you could explore how it taught you about the psychology of recovery and led you to form a support group for others. The most personal essays often focus on smaller incidents instead of more common 'large' life events. Small moments can reveal a lot about your character and worldview. Think about a conversation that changed your perspective, or a seemingly insignificant challenge that had a significant impact on how you approach problems. This can help you avoid clich茅s and make your essay stand out.
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