For the Common App, I wrote about this pool hall me and my brother grew up playing in. I talked about how it was this tradition between us and was a huge factor in our relationship. I talked about how my dad used to take us there when he went to get drunk (he was an alcoholic). That was just like the intro. The essay is the story about what happened there the day after my dad walked out, how me and my brother played a game right next to the bar and I slowly transitioned from being a peer to my brother to a sort of mentor-father figure, and that that was the moment I became an adult. Is this too much of a sob story? I put my whole heart into it and it’s really genuine, I just don’t want to make it seem like I’m trying to get pity.
It sounds like an interesting story, not too much of a sob story to me.
Word of caution: “my brother and I” not “me and my brother” in the sentences above. You don’t want to make the same error in your essay. The rule is the other person always comes first. Also, when deciding when to use “me” or “I” read it aloud to yourself. You wouldn’t say “me played a game…” for example. 
@doschicos believe me, I didn’t write my essay at 11:30 at night on two hours of sleep I-)
Hey, you can’t blame me for pointing it out.
I do appreciate your input. It was a very meaningful experience and I wanted to convey that as best I could. @doschicos
It sounds like a story unique to you and that is a good thing for a college essay. I wish you success with the process!
It was the first thing I noticed, too. In any case, remember the point of your essay. It isn’t actually to answer the prompt (for once). It is to make them want you on campus. Most students have a lot of different facets to their personalities and lives, and more than one way they could answer a prompt. Also, not sure how old you were when this happened. Stories from when you were fairly young tend to not work as well. They tend to be more about things that happened to you vs info on how you function as a young adult. Just some things to think about.