Should I add a "sad" paragraph or stick to the motivated tone?

College Essays
1

<p>My essay shows how I learned a lot from my foreign exchange journey in Barcelona the summer of 2008. It has a pretty determined/motivated/proud tone, and I’m wondering if I should throw in a somewhat sad paragraph of my grandpa passing away while i was there?</p>

<p>would that be a good idea, or should I stick to the motivated tone?</p>

2

<p>no. don’t add the sad paragraph. it’ll make your essay seem lopsided.</p>