Olive_Tree

I'm thinking about doing an essay for college admissions on a school subject which I've always struggled in. I think I can find a quirky, comical way of writing it, but will doing an essay on something in which you struggle in be a risk, especially for high ranking universities?

Thank you!

ADad

The best topic for you imo is the one that allows you to be the most personal, detailed, honest and revealing.

That topic could well be the one that you mentioned.

Olive_Tree

Well, it definitely would be personal and revealing. I haven't started it yet, and I'm trying to see how I could approach it, but I wanted to know if the admission officers would hold that against me.

ADad

They are going to know your grades so they can see for themselves how you are doing in x subject.

Will they hold it against you that you can speak honestly about having difficulties with something? Imo, no, so long as your essay gives an overall positive impression of you. But even if this topic could be good for you to write about, are you sure that this is the best topic for you?

Olive_Tree

Well, I'm still thinking about other topics, and I'm thinking about presenting the essay in a creative way. But to answer your question, I don't know...

Thanks for the advice!

asdfjkl1

I think you could make this into a fantastic essay. Just make it comical and personal. Just try writing it one of these days and if it sounds a bit negative, throw it out. Worst Case Scenario: Your Reader Majored in ______(your worst subject)___ and you make fun of it.

Otherwise, come up with something else.

Olive_Tree

Well, the subject is Math, but in the essay I'm trying to apply mathematical formulas to describe my life or who I am. I don't know if that makes sense. LOL! I'll see what I can come up with.

gadad

I advised my D1 to do an application short answer about Math because she struggled in Calculus I and got a C, really worked hard with a tutor, and got an A in Calculus II the next semester. I thought that that experience communicated something positive and important. But unless you've got a "triumph over adversity" aspect to your story, I don't know that focusing on a weakness would be helpful to you.

Butternut

Olive_Tree, it sounds like it could be a great essay if you write it well. As far as writing about your weakness goes, I think it's a good idea. That way, you acknowledge it, and a humurous essay about it could be a lot better than highlighting your accomplishments and talking about how great you are.

smarteeangel101

this is a really cute idea good luck!

Junine

I don't think it'll be risky.
I mean, if you did horribly in math and then you're presenting it in a comical way, then it might be bad because it'll give them an impression that you don't take your struggles seriously.
However, if you did well in the subject (even if you did struggle a bit), I'm guessing a comical approach to the topic wouldn't be bad. Your approach to the essay is pretty interesting as well!