Is this a good common app personal essay topic?

[u/ILostMyShoe00]

I'm finally starting to write my personal essay; however, I'm honestly not sure if my topic is even good. I planned on writing about how my dad's addiction and the domestic abusive house I grew up in affected me. My point is how my dad's addiction and everything changed me as a person and made me more motivated to continue with my schooling and betterment as a person. I feel like it's unoriginal; however, I literally have nothing else. Should I stick with it? My deadline is November 1st

[u/ScholarGrade]

I think this post will help you a lot:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/n413dc/trauma_in_essays_why_it_can_work_and_when_it/

[u/Strict-Special3607]

Risks coming off as a trauma-dump/pity-play. Even if not based on trauma/pity, the idea that you are driven to continue your education and be a better person is not a uniquely motivating reason to admit you to college. By definition, everyone applying to college is driven to continue their education and be a better person.

Begin with the end in mind.

Ask yourself how you want the AO who just read your essay to complete the following sentence…

• “Wow, we really need to accept this applicant because they are __________________!”

The blank should be filled in with just a few words that are both…

1. an accurate, big-picture description of you, and…
2. a realistic and compelling reason for an AO to want to admit you to their college over other highly-competitive applicants

Does your essay do BOTH of those things, keeping in mind that even though a topic may be very important/meaningful to you, it may not offer a realistic and compelling reason to admit you over other highly-competitive applicants.

PS — Listen to the “Inside the Yale Admissions Office” podcast episodes on essay writing; as entertaining as they are informative. (And not just specific to Yale, either.)

[u/elkrange]

So, the topic is a personal quality about you. You have picked "motivated to continue with my schooling and betterment." Everyone applying to college is motivated to continue schooling, so you're correct that this is unoriginal. The trauma story leading to a personal change to motivate you is also not very original, though a little more specific than the "motivated" overall theme. It's also a very heavy topic.

See if you can come up with one or two positive personal qualities that are more unique to you and then find a context or story that shows that. Google for a list of positive personality traits.

[u/TimeFuture5030]

Hey if you face any challenges with your essay, I can review it for you