Secondary Essay: talking about being re-applicant/rejections?

[BlatantPlatitude]

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Like the title says, is it appropriate to talk about being a reapplicant at all in secondaries? Is there an unspoken rule to not mention that unless explicitly asked? For example here is one of the secondaries for Duke:

Coping with Disappointment: Not achieving a goal or one’s desire can sometimes be disheartening. What have you discovered from your setbacks and disappointments and how does this translate to your current way of thinking?

I mean this is kind of perfect for talking about reflection after rejection/changing mindset and stuff like that, no?

 

[Nontrad_FL_LGBT]

There are some essays specifically for reapplicants to talk about what they've been doing in the past year to improve. I personally wouldn't talk about reapplying being my biggest challenge or anything like that.

 

[Goro]

People who use getting rejected as an answer for adversity prompt, our telegraphing that their whole life is wrapped up around academics.

 

[LunaOri]

It fits the Duke prompt, but for most others: no.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Write Your Secondary Essays First | SDN

Most advice to applicants focuses on the personal statement and description of work or activities required to complete the initial centralized application

www.studentdoctor.net

Briefly, consider this as a challenge essay, just with an ending where the result did not result in a win for you but for someone else. Like taking a basketball shot at the buzzer down by 1 and the ball rims out. The Duke folks understand that feeling.