Don't see the reason for negativity around "privilege". The point of the essay seems to be to explain how taking a year to live and work in the "real world" changes the perspective of a young adult, particularly with regard to finances.
FTA: Time free from the obligations of schoolwork had enabled me to realize my passion for writing, and to apply this to an English major, where I would discover the most formative classes and professors of my education.
Hmmm.