As confusing (and terrifying) as all this is, here’s the major takeaway: for racial and ethnic minorities, your admissions essay is now more important to your application than ever before. Colleges still want diverse student bodies, and they’re going to be using admissions essays to make that happen. And the good news is, essays about personal struggles or triumphs tied to one’s race or heritage were already one of my favorite topics to explore with my students, because they provide such a unique insight into who you are as a person, what your values are, and how you face challenges.