I am planning to write an essay about my mother, about her own company’s bankruptcy and that hard time which I and my family has undergone. The reason I really want to share that story is because that tough time really help the shape myself as I am today. But I am afraid that writing about my mother will go off the topic of prompt #1. Anyone has any advices? All help appreciated!
Your mother’s not applying to college; YOU are. Make sure it’s more about you than her.
The struggling parent (or grandparent) is one of the most cliché topics you can choose. I agree that you should look for a topic that is about you, not about somebody else. This is especially the case if it’s off-topic.
thank you guys so much @bodangles @Hunt Do you have any recommendation if I still stick to that topic but I focus on me, about how I perceived and about my view on that story. Because the only story which i find worth sharing is that story to be honest. That time is really hard but worth remembering 
If you can write about what YOU experienced and the impact it had on YOU, then it can be a good topic. (I don’t know what prompt you’re referring to, so I don’t know if it’s really on topic, though).
Writing a draft of this topic to try it out is a good idea. You can always write another one if it doesn’t work out.
Definitely make yourself the focus, especially how the event changed you or shaped you as a person. Why is that experience so important to you, even now? How are you different because of it?
@Hunt I am referring to the prompt #1. OMG thank you two :((( that’s so nice of you to enthusiastically reply me. How’s your application procedure going? or are you living a college life?
Keep in mind: the purpose behind this essay is to give them a reason to say yes to your application. The vast majority of your 650 words should be spent with that in mind-- keep the background story to the barest minimum you can manage.
Not mom. Not your family. But you. You need to be the focus of this essay-- how those circumstances have effected you, how you’ve grown, how you’re a better candidate now than you would have otherwise been.