ok so I did pretty well in high school, but I was wondering if I should do a special circumstances essay? My circumstance would be that I grew up in a household where my father emotionally and verbally abused my mom. Being the eldest child, I was often caught in the middle. Also, when my parents divorced, my father often projected his feelings towards my mom onto us. I feel as though it isn’t that significant, because I did so well. It just feels as though I am whining about something small. I also feel that because my common app essay is also very emotional, that colleges will view me as emotionally unstable. This is also a topic I haven’t shared with anyone so to share it with a complete stranger feels wrong. Help.
Having grown up in a similar household, it is not a small thing. But what are you trying to explain?
Personally I would not feel comfortable sharing that. It also shouldn’t define who you are as a person or a student. Find a good school you can afford, do well and move on to the next phase of your life.
It sounds like you did pretty well, despite the circumstances. Typically, people only explain things that either add weight to their application, or to explain a dip in grades/a weakness in their applications. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think that you’re right that colleges may view it as too many red flags in your application.
No. I suspect that you subconsciously hope it will give you a sympathy advantage. It won’t. It is sad and shocking just how many students have grown up in terrible circumstances, but it is not unique. If in fact your upbringing is something that your school is aware of, the appropriate thing to do is have your counselor discuss it in the LOR. “Jennifer has managed to do very well, despite growing up in an abusive home.” Your essay should be about something that helps them get to know you as a person. They should read it and think “I like this person. I want her at our college.”
just for clarification - I have another essay which I will use, I was just very hesitant to do a special circumstances section. Thanks for confirming my decision