Note/Warning: I have absolutely no experience with writing application essays/applying to college, I’m a high school sophomore and these are just my thoughts, based on some years of taking English classes and what I’d say if I was an adcom.
I don’t agree that this should be her essay topic. This is why:
- She is her own person, and writing this essay seems to define her as "the sister of a disabled (for lack of a better word) person". If you need to give her advice on a topic, make it all about her or her achievements. Colleges want to see what she can do out of her own motivation, not from a situation she has no say in.
- She doesn't want to write about it! I personally write a lot better when the essay topic is something I came up with myself and feel personally passionate about writing.
- This is going to sound rude, sorry in advance - I'm honestly not trying to insult you, I just need to say this bluntly. Don't tell your daughter what to write! If you keep bothering her to write it and she gives in, the essay will be mediocre at best. And unless your daughter has a 1600 SAT, 4.5 GPA, and stellar EC's, she can't afford to have a mediocre essay. Nobody can.
So, in conclusion:
Please don’t tell your daughter what to write her essay about. And if you have to give her any advice at all, tell her not to write about her brother! An essay about her brother doesn’t tell you much about her as an individual. Colleges want to see her passion, her motivation, what makes her tick. This topic just doesn’t show that. Maybe she should write about why she chose her major/where her interest in it began? Your topic could be good for an essay contest or a writing assignment, but it’s just reaaaally not right for a college essay.
It’s her life, let her live it and let her write her essay - she’s right not to want to use this topic.
Sorry if this sounded rude at all, it’s not at all my intention!