Writing an essay on a controversial topic

College Essays
1

<p>I’m an intl transfer student, so I’m not entirely familiar with the essay style/content idea. </p>

<p>I’ve had two ideas for my main essay, ie, ‘tell us something about you that helps us to understand you’. One is to describe ballroom - that I started dancing, competing, and founded and teach a ballroom society at my university. It’s okay, but my app is pretty ballroom-centric. The other is to talk about me in depth a bit.</p>

<p>I was diagnosed with suicidal clinical depression last semester, and it affected my work. The essay focuses on my strategy of coping - to build sandcastles on the beach by my uni - and how it relates to my life. I was just wondering, is this a good idea?! I want a fresh start at uni, which is one reason for transferring, and building sandcastles as a stress-break is pretty original, but should I be explaining the problem like this?</p>

2

<p>I don’t see where the controversy comes in.</p>

3

<p>Go for it. Be careful not to use the term “suicidal clinical depression” as it has the danger of appearing that you are dwelling on your obstacles and making excuses. Instead try to imply these issues, saying them indirectly, and focus a lot more on the sandcastle part.</p>

<p>Taking something seen as ordinary (building sandcastles) and assigning significant meaning to it, would be a good essay. Try writing about this and see where it takes you.</p>

4

<p>that is not edgy… say that you were making sandcastles at A COMMUNIST PARTY MEETING</p>

5

<p>If you’re trying to make a fresh start, then be very carefull not to reveal your mental health challenges. Take jh05t’s suggestion of a focus. </p>

<p>Just curious, are the new schools you’re applying to close to the beach???</p>