Will college understand my personal hardships?

Applying to College
1

<p>I know that there is an additional information section and counselors rec thing that can help colleges understand but I want to know whether they will give a crap I went through?</p>

<p>This is my story: I know in respect of those who went through poverty and homelessness, I am not going to say that my hardship is really big like theirs but to me the thing I went through was extremely depressing and painful.
I am a south korean student attending one of the international school in korea. My family did not had a happy relationship. My father was a complete dictator in some way but he still cared for me. I know that he is a caring father however his method is too extreme and he has typical "asian parent mindset". My father focused too much on only good grades that he never made us go outside of house. Even during family trip (which all of them ended up with my parents fighting and talking about divorce) my father made us study. However, the family problem was not the only thing I was going through. Before I moved my school, I did not had many friends but started to gain recognition from them and eventually befriended almost 60% of the school's student. However, my father decided to move me to a better school so I was forced to move. There people were totally different. I tried to continue with good image but one incident led me to lose all trust. Its kinda long to explain but overall the situation was against me, everything. Not only that prior to moving to the school, I had depression (I found a year later that I was suffering from depression). I felt alone and depressed everyday with no friend at all(this new school is small ). As a result of this I attempted suicide twice :( </p>

<p>I know that family problem is common but for my case my parents always fight and say that they are going to divorce but they never do. The continuation of it and not divorcing made me literally go crazy. My father thinks my mom is a idiot and he blames all the failure to her. </p>

<p>I am not saying this to gain pity but to see whether college will understand what I went through and the lesson and experience I have gained from it. I have learned more about hope and as a loner I was able to see the social barrier that were created in my little school society (which is kind of an observation skill I gained). </p>

<p>Will college accept my learning ? </p>

<p>PS: by the way I am not trying to make excuse because one of the lesson I learned from the experience is that while the weak is looking for excuse, the strong is looking for ways to not make excuse. </p>

2

<p>Mental illness generally isn’t something colleges desire on their campus. It may explain a drop in grades (if you have one), but I can hardly imagine that being what changes someone from a deny to an admit. You should however have your GC (if you have one) include it in his or her letter of reccomendation. It gives colleges a better idea of who you are. </p>

3

<p>Sadly, I can somewhat empathize with your situation. My parents are very similar to yours : fighting, divorce, blaming each other - that whole hoopla. I also went through a rough time and my teachers wrote about it in my letters of recommendation.
I think if u were to bring it up, let your teachers/guidance counselor do it as they would highlight it in a more matter-of-fact manner than one fishing for ‘pity’ (not that I’m saying u are, but that’s a thin line you’re threading)
If you feel strongly about mental illnesses, you can start a campaign in your area. I’m from an Asian society too and mental disorders are considered taboo. So, I joined the Mental Health Association and I’m trying to run campaigns for them to help neutralize the stigma. It helps me cope and I’d like to believe that it shows I’m beyond my disorder.
Take care ^_^</p>

4

<p>What is your real question here?</p>

<p>Do you want to know if your history will matter when you apply to the college/university your father wants you to attend?</p>

<p>You need to find out about your father’s college/university list. Most colleges and universities in the US don’t require any essays and don’t care what your guidance counselor thinks about your home situation. They just look at your grades and ACT/SAT/IELTS/TOEFL/etc. test scores. If your father only wants you to attend the kind of place that does read essays, then you need to discuss your situation with the college placement counselor at your high school and with one of the counselors at the closest advising center of EducationUSA. There are several in South Korea: <a href=“https://www.educationusa.info/SouthKorea”>https://www.educationusa.info/SouthKorea&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Do you want to know if the college/university you ultimately do attend will have good mental health services available?</p>

<p>Once you have your grades and test scores, and know where you might be admitted, take your question about mental health services to the Parents Forum here at CC. Some of the people there can give you inside information about some places that might be good matches for you.</p>