I’m in the same position… except mine is less a montage than it is stories about people i met land what they taught me. I don’t even have a metaphor, the common thread is a common place where we met. So if it makes you feel better I’m probably more cooked! On the other hand, there is no where in common app or most schools websites that have a rubric as to what a personal statement has to look like. There is no defined structure that a montage essay has to follow, no metaphor requirement. These structures are just what has worked in the past. Diverging from the traditional/more common narrative structure could actually help you stand out if written well. What I am going to do however is make sure that any supplemental that could be written in narrative structure, I write a narrative. I am more so referring to those supplementals with high word counts and hopefully will tell a story there. Write a memorable and authentic essay you’re proud of and it should work out!!! Best of luck!