<p>I'm a rising senior, and now that it's summer, I want to focus on writing some of my application essays. I'm looking at some of the top universities (HYPS), so I just wanted some help. There are some things I'd like to mention in my essays, but I don't want to sound too 'whiny.' I am a URM (Latina), first generation student, fairly low income (around 65K), and my mom has had trouble with worsening RA. Additionally, I've had a REALLY hard second semester junior year (there were many personal issues I had to deal with that I don't want to elaborate on in a post.) I feel like my ability to persevere through these hardships (I still manage to get straight A's in the hardest classes, remain involved at school, work while going to school, etc.) define me as a person. I would love to write either a Common App, or supplemental essay about what I've endured. My only worry is that I'll come off the wrong way (as in not focused on academics, and more focused on writing about how I overcame struggles.) So my question is, how do I tactfully write about my hardships? Should I make this my CA essay, or write about it through the supplemental materials? Thanks for the input!</p>
<p>Its certainly a challenge, but I think that “definition” of your character and being really deserves a spot in your essays. It really depends what the essay topic is, but your best bet is to relate it to the subject at hand which is usually possible. Another thing to remember is that your teacher recs will most likely include some of this information to add some credibility/empathy to your case. If you don’t think your recs will include this perspective, you may want to attach a supplemental explanation or have your counselor produce one for you. Since I feel like a majority of essay prompts have a “why did you choose” or “how does your background effect your opinion” or other such prompts which really want to determine how you think and why you are the way you are. These subjects can definitely be related to your challenges at home. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>For the record, low-income is limited to 150% (or 185%, I can’t remember) of the poverty line or less. $65,000 is actually middle middle class.</p>
<p>I don’t know. Legally, maybe not. But according to some of the schools I’m applying to, I’d get almost all, if not full-tuition. In comparison to the students who apply to HYPS, I’m “low income.” Additionally, medicine costs our family a lot of money, and there are other monetary struggles we have to deal with that are beyond the numbers.</p>