I am about to start writing my personal statement and was looking to possibly use my experience growing up in New Orleans during Katrina. Specifically, I was thinking of writing about my actual experience during the storm and the few days that followed, as I was in the city at the time. In no way am I planning to phrase it in a whiny or even negative attitude, but rather to describe the stark differences in human behavior I observed from person to person during such a time of virtual lawlessness, and how that has helped contribute to molding my personality.
My question is: do you all think this is a good topic, or has the whole katrina thing experienced too much fatigue? Basically, I’m afraid that an admissions officer will begin reading and think “oh great, another katrina story…” and I’ll immediately be tossed into that stereotype or generalization. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot.
I find very, very few experiences off-limits for PSs, especially as something as large scale as a national disaster which you found yourself in the middle of. Have people written PSs about it before? Yes, but they’ve also written about everything else under the sun. The trick to a good PS is not what you write about but how you write it. Seems like you know how not to write a Katrina PS, so I would get started on writing one and see if you can help yourself from slipping into some of these cliches. If you can, great - finish it and make it immaculate. If not, see if another topic in your life will fare better under stringent PS guidelines.
I think that’s a good topic. But you need to make sure you stick to what you intend–don’t turn it into a “I suffered in Katrina, please admit me” essay.