College applicants often write essays about personal struggles and challenges. Sometimes, those stories provide great insight into the human being behind the grades and test scores. In other cases, tales of personal struggle raise red flags to the point that an admissions officer is reluctant to offer the applicant a space in the class. We'll provide an expert perspective on how to write a college essay about personal struggles or overcoming challenges.
Like any essay topic, there are advantages and disadvantages. Here's what you need to know:
There is no irrefutable list of “OK” and “Not OK” topics (although we do have a few college essay examples to avoid). But the litmus test we use at Collegewise when students ask our opinion is:
“Will this story give an admissions officer cause to worry about your health, stability, or safety if you joined their class?”
First, it’s important to remember that a college application—even one with essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews—is an imperfect instrument of measurement. You’re far more complex and interesting than any college application can possibly communicate. But, your answer to the question might be a "yes," think carefully about how to move forward, and what essay you want to write.
There are plenty of topics students write about that fall under the personal struggle umbrella. For example, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, learning differences, and addiction are all very real challenges that any student can experience.
When admissions officers read essays about these topics, it's not that they will judge you or think you're less worthy as a human being just because you've faced these types of challenges. Their job, however, does include making sure students will thrive on their campus.
College can be a challenging adjustment for even the healthiest, best-supported students. And these stories can raise very real concerns for a reader who may not know you as deeply as your friends and family. It may raise questions such as:
We once worked with a student who spent six months in a drug rehabilitation center, but her story (which she did discuss in her college essay) included that she was not only two years sober, but that she also now worked in that same center, counseling other teens who were in the throes of addiction. What once might have been seen as a liability now becomes a very real asset to her fellow students and to the college.
What did that student do right?
As with any personal struggle college essay, students should:
While there are self-reflection exercises students can do to determine if they're ready to discuss certain topics in their college essays, every student is different. However, if you're still at a crossroads, here are a few questions to ask yourself before writing your essay:
And finally, whatever story you choose to share—personal struggle or not—please don’t choose it based on what you think colleges and admissions counselors want to hear. There’s a common admissions myth that hardship is inherently rewarded, causing many applicants to exaggerate or even manufacture it. There’s no such thing as admissions extra credit based on your essay topic. Choose a story that helps them get to know you in a way they could not have done by the application alone.
If you're a student seeking more support on essay brainstorming, writing, or editing, schedule your free consultation with Collegewise today. Our team will pair you with an expert counselor to help you find your unique story and guide you in writing the best version for college.
About Us: With more than twenty-six years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the student. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for you to be your best self - whether it’s in the classroom, in your applications or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of tools include counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, leading to a 4x higher than average admissions rates.