<p>I live alone at home because I leave for school, buy groceries, and go to volunteer alone. My father - a lost cause hooked on prescription drugs and alcohol - left my mum and I. My mum has little education so she labors from early int he morning and comes home at midnight when I'm asleep. I barely talk to her and I cannot bear to talk to my dad now that he's living with a college girl - half his age and a Muslim. (not to be offensive, it's complex)</p>
<p>But now I am pretty much one my own. My dad has been a huge problem my whole life and I never had a father figure. ever. In the past, my parents fought so often - they hit each other, broke things, and once the car almost flipped over because of the fighting. Now I'm just working hard to get to Tulane University. Free from the screaming and lamenting that caused police to come to our house, I can finally ponder life and focus on my studies in solitude. Though tragic and frustrating, the divorce allowed me to strengthen my Independence as a young lady.</p>
<p>not cliche..........but what are you really want to say? you want to say that you are escaping from your own family and want Tulane to help you escape? or are you saying that leave your own parents alone and find you own peace is such a mavelous thing? Or are you saying that you are so proud that they are fighting but you are not, and you know that finghting is not good for you, but you never mention how fighting meant to your Mom and Dad? or are you hating the weightness on of family on your shulder and you want to through it away and head forward, never mind where the weight was transfered? </p>
<p>may be you can watch "I grew in Iran", a black and white cartoon movie.........you might learn sth.</p>
<p>This could be a moving essay. However, I find this part about you mother: "she labors from early int he morning and comes home at midnight when I'm asleep" a bit of a stretch. I think adcom readers might, too. Thus, try to be a bit more specific as to why she's gone so long.</p>
<p>it depends on how you use that story. you need to make the essay show something about yourself rather than just tell about the bad situation you are in. the last thing you want to do is sound like you are looking for sympathy. so make sure your story has a point.</p>
<p>Dave_berry, thank you for the insight. My mum works as a caregiver so she helps several older men and women with daily life tasks like eating, cleaning, and driving them places.</p>
<p>I just want to let Tulane know that I have had to raise myself. I've never had a stereotypical parent figure in my life. Though we all have complications in our lives, I try to make the best of them and avoid focusing on the negativity so much. My school friends always feel so sorry and wonder how I survive but I reassure them I'm doing quite well without my parents. I can't help that they are gone.</p>
<p>The mere fact that you have a difficult family background isn't enough for a compelling essay. Imo the AdCom wants to know about you. How did you address/overcome these difficulties? Giving personal, revealing details can help show you, not just your circumstances, to the AdCom.</p>
<p>Yes, yes, I certainly am going to reveal how it has affected my character. The focus will be my improved will-power and ability to care for myself. I was just wondering if it was a worthwhile topic before writing all about myself.</p>