When it comes to capturing the reader’s attention in college application essays, compelling family histories have a distinct advantage over other narratives. Themes of aspiration and overcoming the adversity inherent to cultural assimilation are not only timely topics for undergraduate and graduate personal statements, they are also timeless themes that resonate with all readers.
Consider this: many students from established US families, especially those from affluent backgrounds and applying to top colleges and universities, actually struggle to develop compelling stories. One reason for this is that affluent students in particular may not have encountered many, or any, of the types of challenges that inspire significant personal growth. Such students often describe themselves as being “sheltered” or “living in a bubble”. It is true that some students overlook certain experiences that make for great college essays, but for the real bubble boys and bubble girls the college essay is an agonizing experience.
This presents a unique opportunity for first-, second-, and even third-generation Americans willing to dig deep and understand how their family histories contribute to their sense of identity and attitudes toward education. Many of the finest essays produced by Texas Essay Editors’ clients address the immigrant experience in a fundamental way. A significant number of our clients have roots in the Global South, Mexico, and the Caribbean. For these students, talking about family adds a fresh perspective for the reader, especially when the characters are animated by such traditional activities as preparing an Ayurvedic home remedy or tending a coconut vayal in Kerala.
When representing oneself in the text, give yourself actions the express cultural hybridity. Our clients often find that references to arts and culture, hobbies, and pastimes serve this function well. As in the example of the coconut vayal above, use of foreign language vocabulary is a must for expressing one’s cultural identity in a way that is compelling. Find a place in your essay to use and define at least one foreign word or concept, preferably one with which you have a close personal knowledge.
Writing a successful college essay about the immigrant experience can be a challenge. Reflecting upon the lives of your parents and grandparents can be a productive way of developing the perfect essay topic.