Overcoming Adversity

<p>I recently attended a workshop that helps both transfer and freshman applicants to, perfect their personal statement. I spoke with one of the admissions officer and she stated that " It would be our loss if we did not admit you to CAL". But here's the problem my stats are WAY below their avg( 3.86UCgpa,1780SAT, 670us history/ 560 math IIc). Could it be that my personal statements might be the determining factor..?
Essay #1 Talked about how APUS..and learning african-american history...giving me a new found respect for my culture.
Essay#2 I'm talking about starting a Clarinet Quartet(as an african-american male), and starting my association, NIYA(Nigerian Ibo Youth Association)
Essay #3 I talk about how i cared for my brother after his serious car accident, and since i lieve in a single parent home(mom is a flight attendant), i had to care for my brother quite a bit.</p>

<p>So what do u guys think..are the essays going to help me that much?</p>

<p>One of the essays should be academic. Could you add that in your essay #1?</p>

<p>in essay #1 i'm talking about the rigor of my apush class...</p>