Thank you for this thread! I definitely have a strong story going for me, but I have a really hard time writing about myself. Do most people follow the 750-Transfer Prompt/250-General Prompt word count? I went through some considerable hardships that I feel would make a more compelling answer to the general prompt, which would supplement a shorter transfer answer.
That being said, if anyone has any quick tips about how to write about a significant hardship (think family member with severe mental illness throughout childhood), I would appreciate it! There is so much to sift through on the internet and these forums!