Addressing extenuating circumstances in an essay

College Essays
1

<p>Here's my situation:</p>

<p>I ran into a period of time where I not only lost focus, but for all intents and purposes, lost just about all desire. I eventually recovered, got my GED, did the CC thing, and am now looking to transfer. My problems are well documented, but it's something that I like to think that I've moved on from and I would like to avoid pandering for sympathy. The admissions office at the school I'm applying to already knows about my problems. I'm trying to determine to what extent (if at all) I should address my problems in my admission essays. Any advice would be appreciated, particularly from people who have been in, or are in situations similar to mine.</p>

2

<p>The essays are your chance to be bottom-line positive about you, to give a sense of the presence that you would bring to the classroom, the dorm, the campus. I would therefore favor the traditional idea of writing about a passion, experience, observation, etc. </p>

<p>Write about one or more of the good things that make you you.</p>