<p>So we all know that family helps shape our identity in one way or another. Personally, I feel that this topic is the closest one relating who I am today. The topic can easily become clichéd, I am aware, but if you know how to handle it, family can be the perfect personal statement topic. The problem I'm facing is that although the topic can reveal my individuality, it is at the same time extremely personal and sensitive, and I don't want to tell that to a complete stranger at the universities.
Should I still go for it?</p>
<p>Do NOT write anything you don’t want to tell a complete stranger at the universities. Why would you do that and make yourself (and possibly the readers) uncomfortable? There are plenty of other ways to talk about who you are today without talking about things that you find extremely personal and sensitive. Expect that your app may be shared among a committee of strangers and only write things that you are comfortable sharing with such a group.</p>
<p>If you can tone it down to an acceptable level of personal, then it’d be okay, but since you’re talking about “extremely sensitive…”</p>
<p>Is there a way you can write the “same” essay without revealing too much? Add some vagueness, generalize here and there?</p>