Trauma Dumping?

Worried your story is too "taboo" or "off-putting"? Don't be.

PICTURE THIS: You are a high school senior sitting in front of your computer, staring blankly at the college application essay prompt. Your brain is filled with memories of the traumatic event that changed your life forever. You wonder if you should share it in your essay, but you don’t want to come misrepresent yourself or trivialize your trauma. You want to authentically speak about yourself and a component of yourself in a genuine way without being viewed as capitalizing on something that hurt you. Would the admission officers be interested in hearing about your struggles? Could your story even help you secure a spot in your dream Ivy League school? The answer is YES!

Here is a  step-by-step guide that will help you turn your traumatic experience into a powerful story of resilience. 

Start with a Shocking Scene

The best way to capture the reader’s attention is to start in the middle of your story. Begin your essay with a shocking scene that grabs the reader’s attention. The trauma you experienced is the hook that will keep the reader engaged. This will create an emotional connection with your readers that will make them want to learn more about your experience.

For example, if you survived a car accident, you can start with a scene that describes the crushing sound of metal, breaking glass, and the blaring of horns. This will give the reader an idea of the trauma you experienced and capture their attention.

Backtrack and Explain the First Scene

After you have grabbed the reader’s attention with the first scene, backtrack to explain what led to it and your motivation to improve the situation. This should be no more than one paragraph and should be concise and to the point. You should not dwell too much on the details of the traumatic event but provide the necessary context for your story.

For example, if you were a victim of bullying, you can explain how it affected your mental health and your decision to seek help and stand up for yourself. This will give the reader an idea of the progress you’ve made since the traumatic event and your growth as a person.

Shift Focus to Your Actions and Experience

Now, it’s time to shift the focus to your actions and experience as you learn and grow. This is where you can turn your story into a hero’s journey. The admission officers are interested in how you responded to your trauma and what you learned from it. Describe your actions, mistakes, and lessons learned. This will make your essay relatable and inspiring.

For example, if you struggled with a learning disability, you can describe your journey to overcome it. You can talk about the challenges you faced and the strategies you developed to succeed in school. This will show the admission officers your resilience, persistence, and determination.

Trauma As A Source of Inspiration and Motivation

Finally, explain how the trauma has become a source of inspiration and motivation for what you want to do in the future. This is where you connect your story to your future goals and aspirations. Describe how your experience has shaped your worldview, values, and goals.

For example, if you were a victim of a hate crime, you can talk about how it motivated you to become an activist and work towards promoting equality and justice. This will show the admission officers your passion, leadership, and social awareness.

Transforming your trauma into a compelling college essay can be challenging, but it’s worth it. And it’s your story, you should tell it if you want to. It can help you stand out from thousands of applicants and secure your spot in your dream Ivy League School. Remember, the essay is not about the trauma itself but about how you respond to it and what you learned from it. Use our free essay scoring tool to see if you did it right!

The Ivy League Roadmap will give you a clear and concise guide to follow. A book designed to guide you along this difficult and confusing journey. This comprehensive resource will provide you with invaluable insights and strategies, to navigate the admissions process successfully and debunk COMMON MYTHS you may have heard from misinformed parents, counselors, and friends.  

Or consider 1-on-1 advice through Admissions Advising. Start the path towards accomplishing your dreams today!