<p>Here’s a very brief background on me-
Raised a single parent, lower-class welfare type family with little emphasis on education.
First generation college student.
Not a racial minority.
Dropped out of high school to work a job; got GED at 17 and started community college on pell grants.
Became homeless at 18.
Now finishing up community college at 20 with a 3.5+GPA and great references but not many extracurriculars. 2000 SAT, 780 SAT II(French).
I was looking forward to writing about overcoming poverty/homelessness but I’ve read that admissions offices hear many stories of hardship (for example, immigrants, who have it just as hard in my opinion), so I’ve pared it down to a short paragraph to explain why I have a GED.
Is it possible for me to write about my hardships?
How to do so in a way that does not seem “whiny” or “victim”?</p>
<p>definitely include it. you clearly have had enough “hardship” to include it in your essay. so write about it, but the most important thing is to write about how you chose to overcome it. this last phrase is essential - colleges don’t want a sob story, they want to see resilience. you did what you had to do to provide for yourself, and you’re self-motivated enough to pursue an education that many might have considered to be beyond your economic means. just prove that in your essay.</p>
<p>by the way, you’re an inspiration.</p>