<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I'm writing my essay on like how I grew up and stuff, and I wanted to mention drugs in there. Like something descriptive about where I live. So I wanted to know if it was taboo or something. It'd be like just two sentences? Thanks so muchhh :D</p>
<p>Like what about drugs? That your partook in drugs, or that they were around you, or what?</p>
<p>Two sentences?</p>
<p>around me not partake
i ain’t about that lifestyle</p>
<p>also it’s like within this question:</p>
<p>I was originally going to apply using Questbridge but something came up with my school and I can’t get the recs on time for the deadline. I had a good idea for the QB essays on how we overcame problems but since I now need to use the normal common app essay, is it a good idea to still write about something similar?</p>
<p>In general, when kids emphasize how they “overcame problems,” they draw adcoms’ attention to those problems. </p>
<p>What adcoms need to see is your own personal qualities, what strengths you have that they are looking for in their student body. If your essay ends up showing positives about you that are relevant to the review of your application- fine. But, if it’s really just about how difficult the neighborhood is/was, be cautious.</p>
<p>nooo it’s about how i overcame them
and thanks so much for your helpppp
!!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>If you had a drug problem, and overcame it, then it is how you overcame it.</p>
<p>If you live in a poor neighborhood; your parents sat around all day and night doing drugs; you had to raise your brothers and sisters as the only responsible person; - then you overcame it.</p>
<p>If you live in a poor neighborhood with drugs around; you went to school and did well; no other problems - no need to mention the drugs.</p>
<p>Oh snap thanks for helping and ummm its the third one but I think stuff in my neighborhood significantly affected my life so I wanted to talk about That but not specifically drugs</p>
<p>It’s hard to answer because what swirled around you did affect your life-- but is it relevant to college adcoms? Did you pick up strengths, skills, compassion and get engaged, make commitments, because of that environment? Or do you just want to paint how far you have come, how bad it was? This is the balance you have to think about, as you decide what to write. And, you have word limits to do it in. Good luck. And remember the usual advce is: show, not tell.</p>