<p>I do not know if DC and Yale etc will see you as an academic star, since by your own admission you did not win any major national awards. However, they will see you as academically qualified. In other words, they will think you will not flunk out if they admit you. So, think about what else you can offer the campus that other equally well academically qualified, 20,000 applicants cannot. You will add diversity. However, think about what else makes you unique and interesting and write about it. What are you passionate about? For example if you are a native aboriginie you may want to talk about your sub culture. I am not sure having a parent that passed away will make you uniquely different. Touch on this subject but do not dwell upon it.</p>