Which Topic Should I Use? UC Essay

College Essays
1

For prompt #2 for UC : Tell us about an experience, talent, quality …

I’m torn between these two topics

1:
My estranged brother ran away from home to join the army. Later, his base blew up and my family was unsure if he was alive or dead. I was elated that he might be dead since I really hated him, but I learned that my feelings were not correct.

The purpose of this essay is learning to remove boundaries on relationships

2:
I never learned how to ride bikes and I was embarrassed and I would hide my inability to ride bikes. In order to ride with my friends and avoid ridicule, I learned how to ride unicycles.

This essay shows that I am able to adapt and not necessarily following a certain path to solve a problem

Here is my opinion on both. The 1st topic is more interesting to read as it has a shock/emotional appeal, but the essay could potentially have a lot of focus on my relations with my brother. The 2nd essay has a bit of a humorous appeal and it shows more of my character as it shows a problem and a creative solution.

Which one should I choose?

2

Use the second topic. The first topic seems to fit more in prompt 1 and it would be a stretch if you were to use it in prompt 2

3

Definitely second topic. It fits much better with the prompt and I think it’s pretty unique.

4

I would NOT suggest that you write that you were elated at the death of anyone, especially a brother who was serving his nation. It does NOT paint you in a good light.

ANY topic other than that would be preferable.