Please understand no one can or should promise to “tell you how to write the college essay that gets you
in.” Or, “into your first choice college.” (Dewes.) Your admit chances rest on multiple factors. And your essay absolutely doesn’t need to be so unique. There aren’t unlimited experiences and insights in this world. Plus, adcoms tend to be looking for the attributes they like for their colleges. How unique do you really think a tale of resilience and growth, eg, can be? And they are not English teachers who will grade you.
Think of a nice tale that shows a few assets you know your possible college targets want to see. It’s often easiest to find a turning point, when you faced something, pushed, and grew. Make it relatively recent. A tale from lower school doesn’t help them see you today.
Remember, the principle is “Show, not just tell.” Not just a statement that you’re now better, wiser, stronger, kinder, whatever. Rather, some example. Make it relevant to the readers, not just different, unique, colorful, etc. It’s not a writing contest. Imagine youre recounting to, eg, one of us. You wouldn’t overblow, repeat endless dialog, proseletize, etc.
And have some fun.