GMAT Club Legend
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
Affiliations: HHonors Diamond, BGS Honor Society
Posts: 5916
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2009
WE:Business Development (Consumer Products)
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12 Nov 2006, 19:52
Yes, but with a caveat. The point of this essay is to see introspection and how you overcome a difficult situation. The problem with events outside of your control is that it's harder to answer the "What did you learn about yourself" portion of it, if the event isn't directly related to something in your control. "I learned my ex-wife was a back stabbing *complain* and if I just keep fighting her, I can win. This tought me how to win in life!" .... Just be careful here - the stories need to be about you, not about someone else.
I'd also caution against woe is me stories....
That being said, theres no reason you cant use this but you just need to make sure there is something real, tangible and valuable that you learned about yourself through the experience.