I messed up in the past-- how much truth should I tell??

College Essays
1

<p>Hi everyone. l'll try to summarize my problem.</p>

<p>I'm currently 20 and a sophmore at a good community college in California. I'm doing great-- I have a 3.6, honors classes, Phi Thetta Kappa, student government, etc.
Within the next month, I'll be applying to several 4-year universities.</p>

<p>However:</p>

<p>In high school, I messed up. Big time. I am a completely different person now, because I have made to decision to clean up my life and start over. In high school I got really depressed, was diagnosed with ADD, and started getting into drugs. My grades were mediocre/poor and eventually I was expelled when my counselor searched my purse and found cocaine, marijuana and cigarettes.
I was even arrested and charged with a felony for having cocaine, although since I was a minor, I was not convicted of the felony (As an adult, I have absolutely no criminal record).
After I went to a program for youth rehabilitation, I turned my entire life around. I now go to church, am close to my familiy, made new friends, and am completely sober. I want so badly to get a great education, learn as much as I can, and make a positive difference in the world. Truly.</p>

<p>THIS is where I need advice:</p>

<p>In my admissions essay/personal statement, do I admit to all of this? I feel I am no longer this person, and I don't want to make the mistake of overemphasizing my past. But at the same time, I don't want to mislead them into thinking that I have had no problems in the past. </p>

<p>What do I do? Please help!</p>

2

<p>Help me out people! :(</p>

3

<p>I think you should talk about “experimenting” with drugs, but I wouldn’t go into the whole getting expelled part if I were you. Tell, but don’t tell TOO much. You wouldn’t want them to focus on the fact that you’ve DONE drugs, but rather that you’re a changed person. So, be sure that you emphasize how MUCH you’ve changed and back it up with evidence of what you’ve done like student government, etc.</p>

4

<p>Yeah I definately agree. Thank you for replying :)</p>

<p>Anybody eeeelse?</p>

5

<p>Yes , i agree with michelleew . You might want to include a sentence or two . you know , while you’re talking about your life , just tell a little .</p>