<p>I just noticed that on the Activity section of the Common App you can put Family Responsibilities as one of your activities.</p>
<p>During my junior year my mother had cancer, and I had to be sort of a house custodian. My mom and I live by ourselves, so I really had to take care of her, as she was extremely sick. The thing is I don't know how I feel about putting this as an EC. It almost feels wrong...like I'm using my mom or something. I don't know, am I being stupid? Should I put it anyway?</p>
<p>I would say yes: sure it might feel wrong, but it is not the fact that you mom had cancer when you cared for her, it is the idea that since you and your mom lived by yourselves, you had to go the extra mile where no one else could take the lead.</p>
<p>It is something you can mention but I would not do so without first determining that it is OK with your mom because you would be telling the college about her personal information.</p>
<p>Yes, you should. And consider writing one of the essays on why you felt funny putting it down as an activity. In other words, don’t make the essay about your moms cancer, make it about you and what you are feeling by putting the care you provided your mom as a “family responsibiliity”. I believe that your trepidation to do so shows much character.</p>
<p>Yes, it was a major responsibility. It’s not “using” your mom but explaining how you spent your time. I think vlines has good advice about the essay. It doesn’t just have be about your example. Think about how many other students out there don’t put down that they have to work to help support the family or come home and take care of younger siblings because that is simply what it means to be part of the family? It’s kind of like putting down “I love my family” as an EC which, as you state, doesn’t feel right. Schools know that if you have such responsibilities that you won’t have a bunch of ECs so they want to know about it.</p>