<p>I was planning on writing my essay about my family and I's journey to getting our green card. I was going to start talking about the risk they took coming here to the usa years ago leaving everything behind (will go into detail and make it unique). Then, them winning the green card lottery but feeling unsure because that would involve all of us leaving the usa for awhile and spending almost all our savings (will go into detail). Then, me taking what I learned from them when they first made the decision of coming here and telling my parents that we've come this far and we should take another risk. Finally, we did and everything worked out. Though it's been definitely tough due to our savings pretty much gone, my family's dream became true.</p>
<p>It sounds a bit cheesy but I've thought of a unique way of telling our story and how much I've learned from my parents and how I was able to help by using what they taught me (taking risks). I just wanted to know if writing about the green card was not really appropriate? or too risky? I won't make it into a sad story so that the admissions officers feel bad or anything like that. I'm completely avoiding this!</p>
<p>I think it could be great, but be careful about going into too much detail. Soumds like you might have more to say than can be fit into 500 words.
I think it’s a great topic idea though</p>
<p>Depends… Some colleges love topics like this. But some simply don’t see that at all. Be sure you explain why your parents want to come to America (more than just because it is the land of the free and there are tons of opportunities in America) and what you have learn from that. And remember, your parents’ struggle and success is NOT your struggle and your own success. You need to articulate clearly why this experience made you who you are today (more than just getting into a great school in America). Moreover, you will need a killer conclusion to point to the reader where you are heading.</p>
<p>I actually wrote something along these lines for my personal statement. I asked my economics teacher who used to be a lawyer whether this is not appropriate and he said it is fine as long as you don’t make it sound illegal. I only spent one sentence on the “struggle” of this because I don’t want to appear whiny and spent the rest of the essay on positive things.</p>