<p>is there an area(other than the essay) where you can explain your situation(where you come from, what you have had to overcome etc etc).do colleges (especially top ones like Yale) prefer people who have had interesting lives? i think i would count as one but i don't know where I could apply it into the app. and whether it even matters</p>
<p>you could put it in the additional info section</p>
<p>It really depends on what you mean by interesting. I'd say most people accepted to Yale have something interesting about them. It may not necessarily be some sort of adversity that they had to overcome, but very easily some sort of activity or hobby. You be the judge of whether you think Yale will find your life interesting (whatever that may mean). I'd say the essays are definitely the most important for expressing it... but also your list of activities and ECs might too depending on what it is.</p>
<p>by interesting i mean something unique that not many families have to go through today. if you need further info ill pm you cause i don't want to get too specific on the internet</p>
<p>Guidance counselor recs can be a place to include unique family situation stuff if the stuff falls into the "overcoming adversity" category.</p>
<p>ok it didn't happen in high school though it was in the earlier half of my life</p>
<p>Admissions officers definitely like to hear about interesting experiences you've had. You should also include how those experiences have affected your perspective. You could include it in additional info, or just write a letter to your admissions officer saying you wanted to share something but weren't sure where to put it.</p>
<p>k thnx ^:D</p>
<p>Guidance counselors usually attach information about extenuating circumstances.</p>
<p>um my GC doesn't know since it didn't happen during high school. I could tell him to put it though. nobody died or anything like that. lets just say I lived in oppression/secrecy for half of my life.</p>
<p>that sounds kind of interesting... you might consider writing your essay about it.</p>
<p>^^yeah I'm strongly considering it</p>
<p>What classifies as interesting? My family lived in a tiny village in eastern Africa for a year while my parents taught high schoolers Biology and how to use computers, and I'd definitely say that changed my perspectives on a multitude of ideas. My experience, too, was when I was younger (8 years old). </p>
<p>Interesting, yay or nay?</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Yeah that is interesting. A lot of it is based heavily on how you present it. Just relating the experience to them is probably not that interesting. You really need to sell them on how it has changed you or helped you mature... that's definitely the most important part.</p>
<p>I wouldn't let go of the idea of having your GC address this, especially if you don't want to use up one of your essays on the topic. Our GCs have students fill out a questionaire at the beginning of senior year with lots of white space for things the GC could write about that are out of the scope of the transcript and teacher recs. You could talk with your GC about writing things down for him/her, and seeing if it's something he would feel comfortable talking about on your behalf. Also, it might work well because the GC could put your current academic performance in the context of early hardship. Much depends on your GC's dedication to the process, and your relationship with him/her. Best wishes on your applications!</p>