Name: The rise of the "trauma essay" in college applications
Uploaded: 2023-04-07T14:57:25Z
Duration: 12 min 47 s
Description: As if college applications aren't stressful enough, disadvantaged youth are often encouraged to write about their darkest traumas in their admissions essays, creating a marketable story of resilience that turns "pain into progress," says politics student Tina Yong. She brings this harrowing norm to light, exploring its harms and offering a more equitable process for colleges everywhere.

As if college applications aren't stressful enough, disadvantaged youth are often encouraged to write about their darkest traumas in their admissions essays, creating a marketable story of resilience that turns "pain into progress," says politics student Tina Yong. She brings this harrowing norm to light, exploring its harms and offering a more equitable process for colleges everywhere.

Tina Yong: The rise of the "trauma essay" in college applications

The rise of the "trauma essay" in college applications

Admissions officers' preference for 'trauma essays' may perpetuate inequities, prioritizing sensational stories over genuine merit.

Colleges could mitigate the trauma essay trend by clarifying admissions criteria and focusing on future goals, not past adversities.

Trauma essays, pivotal in college apps, may not aid in processing trauma but rather reinforce systemic inequities in education.