<p>Should I answer this? I haven't been suspended, arrested, ticketed, etc. Do they want to learn more good things here, or is this more of an opportunity to explain yourself?</p>
<p>Generally, use it if there is a potential red flag or something serious enough to warrant outright "don't admit!" </p>
<p>Also see Post #6 <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=393002%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=393002</a></p>
<p>thanks dallas, i'd been wondering the same thing, and that was quite helpful.</p>
<p>My son used that space to explain that he had skipped a grade prior to entering HS, which they would not have otherwise known (except perhaps by the year he was born). He explained how the decison was made to skip, and how it impacted him in HS.</p>
<p>I had already written a previous personal statement for school last year (before they changed everything). That one didn't really fit into number one, so I just used it as my essay for two. </p>
<p>Beware on only using 2 for red flags or what not though. The UW website says-</p>
<p>"Write on Both Topics: There are two statements. Write on both. Those who do not are less likely to be admitted."</p>
<p>Source and more tips: <a href="http://www.admissions.wisc.edu/story.php?id=14084%5B/url%5D">http://www.admissions.wisc.edu/story.php?id=14084</a></p>
<p>um, okay, nothing has happened to me in the past 18 years. No deaths, no illness, no discipline issues, good grades and test scores... what the deuce am I supposed to tell them that I didn't in #1? Help me, please.</p>
<p>My fall 07 "On Wisconsin" alumni magazine just came with an article dispelling admissions myths- use the essays to market yourself, not to reiterate information that can be found elsewhere in your application. The article mentioned a "holistic" process, not just the numbers. Think about yourself and why you are choosing UW Madison over other schools, whether it is another state school or a more prestigious one. Show a passion you have, the reason you deserve the place over someone else with equal numbers. It's not the numbers of EC's, it's quality over quantity. There has to be a reason you chose what you do outside of the classroom, it may be needing to work or liking something... You may not realize it, but you have already made many decisions creating the person you are today. Accentuate the positive, don't repeat yourself (and I'll quit now before I do so).</p>