should i include family issues on apps?

Applying to College
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<p>i was just wondering that when i apply to colleges, if i should note that i have a sibling with a harsh form of mental retardation and how it was difficult at times growing up. do you think this is worth pointing out? i don't want to seem like i am making up excuses or using my sibling to get into a good school? i do lots of volunteering with their school too. so do you think adcoms would want to know this or would it just be throwing useless information towards them and not worth mentioning (and where would i mention this)</p>

<p>thanks!!</p>

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<p>Why make a note under additional information? Why not write an essay? I think you could write an excellent personal statement about your relationship with your sibling and how your sibling influenced your life and your values.</p>

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<p>I agree with nw09.</p>

<p>However, if you dont plan on using this information for your essay, I dont think its very necessary to include it in your additional information. I dont think it will have a great impact on the adcoms final decision.</p>

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<p>oh so you dont think it would be like a hook?
just wondering. thanks</p>

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<p>I would write an essay about it. It would be intriguing.</p>

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<p>oh okay thanks</p>

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<p>anyone else?? please lol</p>

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<p>Write an essay on it; I did a family-type essay, too.</p>

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<p>bummmmmmmp</p>

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<p>I agree that you should write about it (unless you've already written an essay)</p>

<p>Its a VERY unique topic and you can really be personal with it without straining yourself for ideas.</p>

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<p>thanks j</p>

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<p>Your experience gives you a perspective not many kids your age may have so I would write about it.</p>

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<p>Yeah I agree with everyone, write an essay. Like nw09 said, include how it influenced you, your values, and include your volunteering at his school.</p>

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<p>I have a similar question - I've dealt with anxiety disorder, panic attacks, since 4th grade. It's ranged from under control to severe, which many people thought would dissuade me from acting (my top passion), which it hasn't: I've been able to pull through the panic on opening nights as a lead in the shows, keep my grades up, etc. Is explaining this through an essay necessary, or do you think it would pose them to think twice about admitting someone who's dealt with "problems?" If it hasn't put a huge toll on my grades, should I elaborate, hoping they find it inspiring and interesting, or drop it?</p>

<p>Because I haven't let it define who I am, I didn't mention it anywhere in my applications. I'm wondering if I should have, though.</p>

<p>And to the OP - I think it'd make a great essay! It's a bit different, but in some respects I understand where you're coming from. My brother has a severe form of bipolar disorder that's landed him hospitalized a few times and is very stressful to live with. I think if you wrote about this, it would show the adcom how non-judgmental you are with a concrete experience to back it up.</p>

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<p>would it increase my chances of admission?</p>

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<p>It is not a hook.
Depending on how it's addressed in an essay and depending on how much weight that colleges you're applying to place on essays, it could help you with admissions.</p>

<p>If your essay is about your sad, pitiful life due to your sibling, it won't do anything for you. If your essay is about how coping with your sib's retardation has inspired you to want to work with special needs kids or has opened your heart so you're more compassionate, it could work in your favor.</p>