<p>I plan on writing essay C for UT to explain my hardships that I went through in highschool, and I was wondering how much of a difference will this essay make? Also, when writing a "self-pity" essay, what should I focus on? Should I make it optimistic, how my circumstances have made me a stronger person, or should I go all-out about how my situation has screwed me over and how I should be pitied?</p>
<p>You can include information about your hardships elsewhere. I wouldn’t write an essay about them.</p>
<p>I’m not going to write a “pity me” essay for all the universities I’m applying to, it’s just that UT Austin gives me a chance to explain my circumstances, which I’m thinking about taking.</p>
<p>The essay C is just optional haha. For the two required essays for UT I’m going to write about something else.</p>
<p>Edit: Well actually now, it is essay “S”. I just checked the website and they updated essay C for new applicants.</p>
<p>Oh, okay. I think you should be optimistic about it. You can explain how your circumstances made things hard for you, but if you complain too much you’ll look entitled/incapable of rising above your circumstances.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks for the help!</p>