<p>Am I the most blatant example of mediocrity you’ve ever come across or merely a victim of circumstance? I ask this question because application season is rapidly approaching and even though my academic profile is up to par, my personal aspects are not. The activities, hobbies, and interests that I’m suppose to provide to present myself in the best light possible are nonexistent. I want to appear three-dimensional, but I fear that’s impossible. Honestly, I haven’t been able to pursue hobbies or develop interests because I was erraticly ill during ninth and tenth grade, and after a series of doctor visits in which I was given no or false answers for my problem I had to see a specialist and undergo an endoscopy which proved nothing and somehow my problem eventually subsided. In addition to that my baby sister was born and I had to spend most of my time taking of her after the short leave my mother was allowed (she was an RN at Robert Wood Johnson, but now works at the HOP). Also, I’ve always been hesitant to join any activity that required me to stay after school because I had no means of transportation; My mother works nights and HAS to sleep during the day and my father commutes to Manhattan; I live in NJ. I’m the youngest in my class so as you can imagine I can’t drive myself anywhere until my senior year unlike my peers. For example, I took up the trumpet and the trombone, but wasn’t allowed to play because she needed her sleep and the noise produced by a beginner is obnoxious. Am I blaming others for my shortcomings or are these “excuses” legitimate? How do I explain my lack of activity to colleges? How do I compensate? And most importantly will they give a damn? I have extracurrics but no real “thing!” The “thing” that catches an admission officer’s eye.</p>
<p>Explain it, although only you will really know how hard you’ve had it. Definitely not blatant mediocrity- but unfortunately enough, elite colleges definitely unfairly favor those from higher, more privileged socioeconomic classes.</p>