<p>So, basically I’m applying for a scholarship that is based on the obstacles I’ve overcome and how I keep achieving academically and outside of school. I am planning on mentioning that my stepfather passed away, but is it okay to say the cause of it?? Like alcohol poisoning? Or is that kind of too much? When my mom married him he seemed perfectly healthy and never drunk. When he was drunk it was really really hard to tell. We did not know that he secretly drank so much vodka that he was killing his liver.
I’ve also moved soo many times and I was wondering if it is okay if I mentioned that I’ve moved thirteen times or is that kind of weird? I don’t know. I also don’t know if I should mention why I moved so much (it was mainly because of my mom trying to find work, a cheaper place to live, and my mom trying to find a good boyfriend/husband) 
I don’t want to talk about it with my guidance counselor because I feel like it is too personal… I don’t ever share these kinds of things with anyone. And I’m pretty sure mentioning that I was undocumented (not legal) in the US for most of the time I’ve lived here does not help, either (my mom and I overstayed- visa expired since ten years ago- but now we are legal since four years ago because my stepfather who was an American citizen passed away). Also since we were undocumented I did not see my family in my home country for ten years until we became legal. But it these are great obstacles that I have faced besides being poor (my mom makes less than 20k a year) and not having any family members to count on in this country besides my mom! I am really looking for some good advice on how I should mention my obstacles in the scholarship essay. Thank you!</p>
<p>In the end, you want them to have a clear sense of what you accomplished, despite the challenges you choose to note. Sometimes, it helps to stand back and imagine how they would summarize your essay, in a few lines- do they have enough to go to bat for you? Did you leave them with the impact you intend? It can be like the tale of the Three Bears: not too much, not too little, just right. Good luck.</p>
<p>thank you for your advice! I will take it :)</p>