Personal Statement: how much info is too much?

Applying to College
1

I’m just trying to figure out how much information is too much when writing your personal statement. You are supposed to write about an experiance that has shaped you…but are certain experiances not pc enough to write about (i.e. drug problems)?

2

<p>i would only write about drug problems if you made a complete 180</p>

3

<p>Leave substance abuse issues totally out of any application in anything you do in your entire life, college, job, or otherwise.</p>

4

<p>lol I dont have drug problems but I have a family member who did...I just dont know if some things are TOO personal</p>

5

<p>oh heck yes tell them as long as you had to STRUGGLE to keep your grades up cuz u where taking care of them or something even if not lie they will never know.....at least not until the interview ...well then ur screwed</p>

6

<p>actually i DID take care of my mom...thanks for the advice thats what I wanted to hear :-)</p>

7

<p>This sounds like a very personal inquiry and you should proceed with caution. As others said, if it is a personal problem, then leave it out. Your personal statement is to give some idea of the conditions in your background, and to let them know where you are coming from. Most of these should point to why you are an asset to the college. That's what your main essay should consider. If you had a serious family problem this is also ok to explain in your essay, but it is better to explain it in just a short side statement, and most colleges let you do this.</p>

<p>So, I would advise making your main essay about your personal interests and aspirations. Then submit a paragraph about "growing up in drug using/struggling person" household as a separate statement. This does a few things: 1, shows the best side of you and doesn not focus on bleaker things, 2. that bleaker things were in your life but you dealt, 3) you dealt with stuff most don't have to.</p>

<p>Now, if you are a very good writer, you can do all in one. But I'd say don't on that.</p>

8

<p>unless he goes a pays like a bagillion dollars to one of those essay websites....hey just a thought</p>