<p>So I am a student with an upward trend, went from 3.6 freshmen year to 4.0 for the rest of my high school years. I am going to write how my father was diagnosed with cancer during my freshmen year and it was extremely enervating and time consuming for me at the time, but I have learned to adapt and pulled through. Also I come from an extremely low income family, with my parents knowing little to none english. (First generation college student) I also started working at a fast food joint to support my family during my sophomore year(Under 30k for 4 people), was promoted to an assistant manager during my junior year. I am going to write how I was able to juggle between extracurricular activities/sports, work, school and life. P.S I am currently a junior and just planning out what to write. </p>
<p>pssst, the Prompt is what they ask you–the essay, or personal statement is what you supply</p>
<p>This is very important background for schools to know and shows a lot of character to work so hard and well under those circumstances, so I would say it is a good idea. Just write it in a plain and simple way and don’t write too much in a woe-is-me way as much as you can. Arg, I just saw you are a Jr. It is much too early to plan this. Your maturity over the next year will make for more informed decisions and voice when it is time to write. Start college essays next summer. Don’t waste time now, work on something more productive.</p>
<p>However, do you know about Questbridge for low income students? You can apply for 2 things. One is for Jr’s and the other Sr’s</p>
<p>Jr’s - apply in spring You can get sent to summer programs and/or college advising and other things</p>
<p>Sr’s - apply late summer to be a QB Finalist… Finalists get to pick colleges for an early application program called MATCH to top colleges on full aid, no family contribution, no loans. You can also apply regular to colleges and get to put Questbridge Finalist in your awards section.</p>
<p>There is a forum here for QB, the results from this year are coming in, but read the website.</p>
<p><a href=“Questbridge Programs - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/</a></p>
<p>This could work as an essay, but you also have the option of talking about your circumstances in the Additional Information section of the Common App. </p>
<p>I think you are better off putting that information in the additional comments section. </p>