<p>Please do not listen to bomerr.</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with a flashback. I have never read that people find an essay about your life unsatisfactory when you actually write about your life. Nor is it substantiated that “descriptive novel like writing is also a big no-no.” The personal statement is personal. You do not have to practice expository writing as you would for an English paper. Contrary to your first post in which you expressed doubt about your creativity, your essay demonstrates a knack for creative writing.</p>
<p>One thing that may be a bit much is ending with the quote. It’s just a re-hashing of the beginning of that paragraph. That said, I don’t find the rest cliche because these things are actually true for you. If you had written this last paragraph about coming to terms with getting your first B, rather than homelessness, it would be a bit much. In the context of your story, however, the paragraph is appropriate.</p>