<p>Sometimes people you know and trust don’t get it, either. My parents tried to tear my common app essay apart because it was too “academic” and “narrow” as opposed to descriptive of my greatness and whatnot, but I kept it and submitted it… and was admitted.
Try to read your essay from a stranger’s perspective. Is it interesting? Are the “mental ramblings” relevant? Do you sound pretentious or intellectual?
I would stay away from the controversial. You don’t know who’s going to read your essay - no need to make things any more awkward than necessary.</p>