Is this too controversial of an essay topic for a transfer student?

Some background: I never wanted to be in premed, but I forced myself to go to a science focused school as a biology major for the sake of my medicine-focused family and culture. I spent a year and a half as a permed, using what was meant to finally be focused around learning at my own will feeling like I can had less than I ever had. My one business course a semester, which my parents allowed as courtesy, was all I looked forward to then. I became close friends with the professor of this course, and used my one slot on her classes two semesters in a row. She encouraged me constantly and told me how much potential she saw, and every time she emailed me about a new opportunity she thought I should go for, I wondered what I was doing with my life. I dropped premed the following semester, without the blessing of my parents.

From here, I want to transfer to a not so science based school where I can make connections and give myself the best chance I can in the business world.

Back to my question: As you saw, a good part of my journey to changing my major deals with Indian culture (I’m Indian) and the tendency to push medical school above all else. Questioning a lot of these social norms and the way my peers followed them, without ever stopping to think about whether that was what they really wanted; the social status, etc. Is this too… controversial/combative for a college essay?

Personally I don’t think so; considering the fact that one of the prompts (at least for high school graduates) specifically asks you to write about a time when you challenged a belief or idea I think it would be an interesting topic.

What is “Indian”? If you mean the Asian country, there are a lot of cultures within India. If you mean Native American, there are a lot of cultures that fall under that category. Mass media would say “Indian” - someone with heritage from India would likely be more specific.

Are you going for the “East Asians are pushed by their families to become doctors” stereotype?

And if you don’t have your parents’ blessing, are they game to pay for the new school?

Otherwise, I don’t think it is a problem topic. As with many topics, it depends on how you present it, finding value in other things than pursuing medicine vs. denigrating the choice of becoming a doctor.