<p>I'm working on my application essays, and am having a hard time deciding what I should write about. I have good stats (3.97/4.55; 2260; 790 lit, 780 US; 8 APs, etc.) and a fair amount of community service/extracurriculars/awards I could write about, but I also have some personal/life experience that is more meaningful to me and might make a more powerful essay if its not just too much information...
For example, there was some pretty bad abuse in my family which made me spend a year removed from my home and thus in a different school... Do I need to explain the reason why I did my tenth grade year at a different school from 9, 11, and 12... Is there a delicate way of saying it? Is it appropriate to write a personal statement about overcoming abuse and depression? Or will the admissions staff just think I'm too damaged? Or is it too disrespectful to my family who have done a lot of work to get better? I really need some outside perspective on this. Also, my father has Parkinson's disease, and I've done a lot to take care of him. Is that something I should put in the "any additional circumstances we should consider" or should it be an essay? Should all that stuff go in additional circumstaces? Or not at all? I'm generally a good writer when my thoughts aren't this jumbled.
So, again, I have other stuff I could write about, but I'm afraid it would be a little cookie-cutter, community service changed me, cliche, rather than genuine... But the cons are obvious too. So I'll stop rambling now and hope for some insightful replies.
By the way, my first choice by far is Pomona, and I'm applying ED. If you care to chance me while you're at it, I would not object... Unless of course you tell me I have no chance, in which case keep your opinions to yourself!!</p>
<p>I know this is hard, but try to pick the part of you/your life that you feel defines you best or is the most meaningful. The essay is your chance to let the admissions people see you as someone beyond the numbers, a real person, so give them the chance to see that, to see what makes you unique. And don't try to cover too much ground, or you'll get nowhere. Pick one thing to focus on.</p>