Advice for the Applicant Who Hasn’t Cured Cancer

Dear SIPA Applicant,

The controversy surrounding capitalizing on your trauma to create a story continues to pervade the admissions process. Although I do not dispute that talking about your hardships creates compelling stories about overcoming the impossible, I recognize that this is not everyone’s goal. Many would rather speak to the positive aspects of their life, realizing that they have fought against the bad and are more characterized by the good. 

Instead of telling you to tell a story about the time you cured cancer, here is advice for the average application: Every sentence should work for you. Begin by writing a list of qualities you cherish about yourself, and allow these characteristics to guide your piece. 

The application advice you have received has followed the idea that one should craft a narrative. Although this advice is valuable, and I encourage using anecdotes strategically, you should ensure that each sentence in your piece brings something to your profile. This helps you keep your piece concise and invites a perspective in which you focus on representing your authentic self instead of a single story. Next time you read your essay, annotate each sentence based on which quality within yourself you believe it showcases. Scrap it if it does not showcase a new or repeated important quality. Sometimes, our backspace key is the most helpful tool we have. 

Your soon-to-be SIPA peer, 

Poojitha Tanjore