Hi everyone! I’m applying early decision to NYU this fall and I’m questioning whether or not the supplemental essay I wrote comes off as insensitive, oversimplified, or too risky for such a complex conflict. The essay question is about a time you built a bridge between two individuals.
Here is a quick summary of my essay: I wrote about bringing together two friends—one Israeli and one Palestinian. Because of the intense polarization in the news and on social media (which ties directly into my intended major, Media, Culture, and Communication), I was initially terrified to introduce them. We went shopping in SoHo, and when the topic of the war inevitably came up, I stepped in to facilitate the conversation. Instead of letting them debate political headlines, I asked them to share personal childhood memories and family stories.
The essay focuses entirely on how they managed to connect on a human level despite having vastly opposing views. My main takeaway is that bridging divides doesn’t mean forcing a political consensus; it means actively creating space for human connection alongside our differences.
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Do you think this is too risky of a topic for an admissions reader, or is it a strong, mature way to answer the prompt?