My mother passed away when I was in eighth grade. Would this make a good topic?

Some advise students to avoid writing about death, but we don't believe that this is always the best course. If well written, this subject can prove your strength in handling adversity and illuminate your values. Avoid looking like you're just trying to gain sympathy from the admissions committee, and be sure to focus on how you grew from the experience. With such a powerful topic, go for understatement rather than overstatment when describing the event. Its gravity will come through on its own.