<p>So I'm not sure if this is the right forum but I am preparing my personal statement for UC and am wondering just how personal I should get. I come from a very unstable past of substance abuse and incarceration both personally and within my family. Are there certain things I should be cryptic about or should I just put it all out there? Thoughts..</p>
<p>You want to be as personal as you can while remembering to never give admissions a reason to not accept you(like being vulnerable to going back to substance abuse or maybe being a felon…) </p>
<p>In the end, its up to you if you decide to get that personal (I dont think you should) </p>
<p>One this is in the right place.</p>
<p>Two, I am a senior as well so take this advice however you may.</p>
<p>I believe you should probably stray away from mentioning the substance abuse in your essay because an adcom will be thinking as they read your resume that when you’re on campus there’s a chance you might relapse. That aside I think you might be able to form a strong essay talking about your family problems and rising above them and the lessons you’ve learned from that struggle.</p>
<p>Ok, thank you</p>