<p>For the common app essay prompt #1, i want to write about either of the two topics.
1. growing up without my parents (they're still alive, but separated. i'm not close to either of them)
2. being a survivor of sexual abuse </p>
<p>these two experiences helped me be more independent and also more compassionate towards others so both experiences led me to become a benefactor in some of the orphanages and institutions here for girls.</p>
<p>Those are both very sensitive and personal topics that you would have to handle with care. You don’t want to do any parent bashing, but if there is an alienation that affected your life that is certainly something you might talk about. If you live with one I don’t really see that you can say you grew up without them, though. For either topic, be sure that you represent yourself well and are appropriate for the purpose and scope of a college admissions essay. Your conclusions sound the right direction to go in.</p>
<p>I echo BrownParent’s thoughts–these are very personal topics so you should approach them delicately. What you want to show the adcom is what your unique view on life is, and how that would add to their campus. Just telling them about your struggles will fall short of showing them who you are and why you would make a valuable addition to their school. If you use those experiences as jumping off points to write about who you are today, that is a story they would be interested in reading. Check out this book on writing the personal statement that you can download for free at [How</a> to Write A Personal Statement | Dear Admissions](<a href=“DearAdmissions.com is for sale | HugeDomains”>HugeDomains.com) and check out the section on Brainstorming on page 28. Hopefully that will help you come up with some ideas of what it is you really want to tell the admissions committee about yourself. Good luck!</p>