<p>I went from working 8-12 hrs/week to 22+ due to the fact that my father recently lost his job. I am the only one working in my household.
I don't want to write a main essay about it, but I was thinking about throwing it into the little "Additional Info" box on the common app or supplements.</p>
<p>Better to just not mention? I don't want to write a sob story, financial situation is not dire as of yet. Should I just throw it in there, right a little? whats appropriate?</p>
<p>thank you</p>
<p>It is perfectly okay to mention it, although you'll probably receive conflicting advice about whether or not to. Just keep in mind colleges do not want to read a sob story (you're right on that), but on the other hand it IS a large factor in your life so you should. Adcoms will understand it produces a lot of stress and shakes up the home situation. </p>
<p>The key is to make sure that you mention it in the light of an obstacle you're working very hard to get past, as long as you don't start using it as an excuse (ala "My grades are sinking cause wah wah wah"). Instead, approach it more like "Recently my father lost his job and my mom doesn't work, so it pushed me to x x x." (Don't actually use that sentence though, cause I made it up on the spot and it's pretty crappy, but you get the general gist of it)</p>
<p>Yes, it is appropriate to mention. You could put it in the additional info part or you could have your GC include it in their recommendation.</p>
<p>What you're doing is impressive, and could help you.</p>