<p>There is a Quaker saying: “Let your life speak.” Describe the environment in which you were raised – your family, home, neighbourhood, or community – and how it influenced the person you are today. (200–250 words) </p>
<p>Does having a negative tone to this essay have an adverse effect on your application?</p>
<p>Depends how you frame it. If your essay is “I was raised in a sucky place by sucky people and everything sucked, but look I turned out ok,” then that might not be viewed so well. </p>
<p>If you say, “Things were rough where I grew up, and my parents made some mistakes, but it all inspired me to work hard to get out of this bad situation,” then I would say you’re golden. It’s all in the phrasing. </p>