<p>One of my more important aspects is that my father has a series of serious mental illnesses and has been abusing my family on and off my entire life. This summer, my parents finally took the next step and separated and a probably divorce is soon. </p>
<p>A few years ago, my sister also got OCD, presumably a result of my dad. This made things worse, but she is much better nowadays. </p>
<p>Nonetheless, as a result of all of this, I have had some limitations. By this I mean I was not able to do anything productive this summer in terms of taking extra college classes before my senior year, etc, although I have remained as focused as I can with all of the police visits, court dates, etc. </p>
<p>Also, would colleges like Stanford and Princeton be accepting of having fewer amazing things done during the summer because of this reason? Or will they just think I still could have pulled it off? </p>
<p>I was thinking about writing about my sister as the person that has most influenced me because of that as part of my commonapp essay, but where on the commonapp would I be able to convey my family situation and the limitations it has caused me, not to whine, but to explain some things and how it has helped me grow? </p>
<p>Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.</p>