<p>I'm applying to a college right now and they pretty much tell you what all your essays should be about. The thing is, I have certain circumstances in my life that I really think could help my chances of getting in. Without going into too much detail, I can say that I lived on my own during junior year (meaning I cooked, cleaned, did my HW, woke myself up on time, didn't have any adults around to tell me how to do things). So now I want to explain this in detail on my application, but I really don't know how... Any ideas?</p>
<p>Are you absolutely sure you can't make it the subject of your essay? If you can't write your essay about your experience, include it in the additional info section or have your GC include that info in their report.</p>
<p>Thanks for asking.
I had the exact same question.</p>
<p>scar- listen to Northstarmom[ she KNOWS what admissions officers will pay attention to.</p>
<p>If I include it in the additional info, how long can I make it? I mean with proper explanations it can get pretty hefty (approx a page, single spaced). Will it look like an act of desperation that I'm writing it?</p>
<p>You should definitely make it the subject of an essay. Talk about how it was a very eye-opening, educational experience for you and how you grew from it. I'm sure admission officers will respect how you took so much responsibility and will be happy to know that you're a student who can handle himself.</p>
<p>No, it would not look like an act of desperation to include that kind of information. It is very impressive that you are so independent, mature, and motivated.</p>
<p>I had a friend who was in a similar situation to you when she was in high school. Her mother had died, and her father was alcoholic and a sailor. He spent a couple of years at sea leaving her to live by herself in NYC. She wrote about her situation in her college essays, and got into Smith College, and later became a lawyer. </p>
<p>Your situation is the kind of unusual situation that stands out in a good way in admissions. If you don't want to write about it -- though it would be an outstanding essay topic -- make sure that your GC includes info about it in their report that goes to colleges.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks a lot Northstarmom and nooob, I'll try and make it an essay. One of the topics is to describe a setback you've had in life and how you overcame it. I guess I could count this as a setback though I always viewed it as the exact opposite.</p>
<p>Your view of living independently is exactly the kind of perspective on a setback that admissions officers like to see. They want students with the ability to rise beyond challenges. Also, successful people tend to be those who not only rise above challenges, but use those challenges as a foundation for their own success and to help others become successful.</p>
<p>Admissions officers aren't impressed by students whose response to setbacks is to just pity themselves and to expect others to reach down and save them.</p>
<p>your story is perfect for the topic...good luck :)</p>