<p>Hey. I’m writing an essay about how my family wanted me to be a doctor, but I became more interested in research and writing.</p>
<p>The essay comes off as rebellious, and I’m not sure if that’s a problem. In the essay books I read, college adcoms seem to be careful about everything. I have a good relationship with my parents, and they respect my career choices. However, the essay details a good part of my childhood, and discusses how “my parents wanted me to be a doctor, but I rebelled by…”</p>
<p>Instead of “rebelled by,” how about “responded to.” Sounds a lot less rebellious but still details your response to their pressure.</p>
<p>Thanks for the idea :)</p>
<p>Right now, I’m using “escaped family pressure by reading…” I think that sounds okay?</p>
<p>There’s a way to make it sound like you made an intelligent, reasoned decision, and there’s a way to make it seem like you were just doing the opposite of what was recommended of you (and then, there’s even a way to make the latter work, though that takes a savvy writer). </p>
<p>Personally, I discussed how my parents were doctors and how everyone always asks if I’m going to be a doctor and I have to say, “I hate blood.” But I also discussed how my poetry was influenced by my grandfather’s medicial textbooks. There is, I think, a nice balance of “I don’t fit into the family mold” with respect of that mold. </p>
<p>In your case, I would avoid any relationship conjunctions at all. Try, “My parents wanted me to be a doctor; I wanted to read.”</p>
<p>^Hm, I guess I could do that…</p>
<p>Would the rebellious aspect of the essay be acceptable if I show that we’ve resolved our differences?</p>
<p>-If, for example, one of the paragraphs explains that my parents now support my career goals.</p>
<p>bump. any more advice? :)</p>
<p>bump again. I’m rewriting this essay now. The tension plays a central part in my essay - “We often argued about medical school.”</p>
<p>I do explain later that my father now appreciates my goals. I state that, “I’m now lucky to have great parents who support me.”</p>
<p>Is the earlier rebellion still a problem?</p>