Overcoming obstacle essay- Write about being an immigrant?

[baratheonfire]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So one of Stonybrook's prompts is "Describe an obstacle you’ve overcome and how it has defined you."

I'm an Indian immigrant (moved to the US when I was 3, but an immigrant nonetheless) and did struggle to reconcile my two identities as I was growing up. Would it be ok to write about this?

 

[radioactive15]

I'd use something more recent (HS or after) for the obstacle essay.

 

[baratheonfire]

I'd use something more recent (HS or after) for the obstacle essay.

Well in college it was really hard for me to find vegetarian options since I'm vegetarian by religion
But I feel like that's stupid

 

[baratheonfire]

bump

 

[LizzyM]

Well in college it was really hard for me to find vegetarian options since I'm vegetarian by religion
But I feel like that's stupid

Doesn't it show creativity, problem solving, resilience, commitment to your values even when it is inconvenient? That doesn't seem stupid.

 

[baratheonfire]

Doesn't it show creativity, problem solving, resilience, commitment to your values even when it is inconvenient? That doesn't seem stupid.

Wow, you made it sound a lot better lol.
But I'm honestly not sure if someone reading it would just roll their eyes. As a kid my mom took care of all of that for me. When I was in college I just learned to cook to get around it.

 

[ejay19955]

So one of Stonybrook's prompts is "Describe an obstacle you’ve overcome and how it has defined you."

I'm an Indian immigrant (moved to the US when I was 3, but an immigrant nonetheless) and did struggle to reconcile my two identities as I was growing up. Would it be ok to write about this?

This kind of essay is very commonplace. I've revised several essays on this topic for my friends' applications. I myself wrote one for the adversity essay.

Despite lacking originality, we all got in. Imo, what matters more is how well you write, not the topic. What matters even more is your stats. Don't worry. My advice would be write whichever you'd feel more comfortable with between being an immigrant and being a vegetarian.

 

[starspells]

Doesn't it show creativity, problem solving, resilience, commitment to your values even when it is inconvenient? That doesn't seem stupid.

I feel like applicants will get dinged if they write about like really, really petty issues. Like writing about getting a zit before prom as their biggest obstacle in life...

OP, I think the vegetarian idea is a good one though!