Most everyone has faced some adversity in their pre-college life, whether modest, like getting cut during auditions for the school play, or severe, such as being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Recounting a story about how you overcame an obstacle or failure is a common essay topic, and it can be compelling regardless of the severity of the obstacle.

All of the successful essays in this group, though, go beyond explaining simply how the writer overcame an obstacle and reflect on how that experience has shaped them as a person. The students in this section describe a time they experienced hardship or failure— sometimes a painful process.

Each applicant tells the story of his or her own hardships with a sense of thoughtful introspection and authenticity. One student describes coping with the death of a parent, while another recounts her struggle to overcome an eating disorder. This essay is your chance to show your readers how you’ve made it through a trying time in your life—one through which you have undoubtedly grown and matured. Use individual anecdotes and striking nuances to let your personal transformation shine to wow admissions officers.