Essay Mini Series: How to Write the “Challenge” Essay

The “Challenge” essay can feel intimidating. Many students worry they haven’t faced something “big enough,” while others struggle to decide how much detail to share. In this episode of the Essay Mini Series, Moon Prep counselors Nicole and Amanda break down how to approach this prompt with honesty, maturity, and purpose.

Rather than focusing on the size of the obstacle, the conversation centers on reflection. Nicole and Amanda explain that admissions officers are far more interested in how a student responds to difficulty than in the challenge itself. Growth, self-awareness, and resilience take priority over drama or hardship for its own sake.

Throughout the episode, listeners are guided through how to choose the right experience; one that reveals character without oversharing or minimizing the outcome. Nicole and Amanda discuss how to strike a balance between context and reflection, ensuring the essay doesn’t become a timeline of events but instead highlights insight and change.

The episode also addresses common missteps, including turning the essay into a list of complaints, placing blame on others, or presenting a story that ends without resolution. Students are encouraged to show how the challenge shaped their perspective, influenced future decisions, or strengthened their values.

This conversation is especially helpful for students navigating sensitive topics. Nicole and Amanda emphasize that vulnerability should always serve the story, not overshadow it, and that strength can be shown through clarity, growth, and self-respect.

For students unsure whether their story is “enough,” this episode offers reassurance and guidance. The strongest Challenge essays don’t aim to impress; they aim to reveal how a student learns, adapts, and moves forward.

Check out the latest episode of the White Coat Club now!