Should my college be a "struggle" story or an "accomplishment" story?

College Essays
1

<p>What do you think would be a better essay. I have ample amount of information to write for both of them.</p>

<p>1) Story about how my parents divorced in the 7th grade and have been constantly fighting for money and threatening lawsuits even to this day. I live with my mom who has to support 3 kids. I see her cry very often. However, I have learned to be strong. I constantly act as a mitigator to try to solve disputes between my parents and with my siblings, we remain strong and a tight family. I am the oldest one (well I have a twin), and therefore have become the “man” of the house. Etc, etc.</p>

<p>2) Story about how my accomplishments in leadership, especially in the mathematics field. I won many state competitions. I formed a Math Olympiad at my school which included 30 members at its peak. We have even made it to state. Then, I along with more math talents and math leaders in the Western Washington region formed WSMA, a 401k nonprofit. We have since then been the ones to CREATE events such as an annual state math competition (first one was hosted at my school) and monthly tutoring sessions and expositions.*</p>

<p>*Also, a question about the second prompt:
Should I include other leadership experiences in the same essay? Should I include that I created a SECOND 401k nonprofit aimed at spreading Chinese programs in schools and cultural awareness in general? Should I include that I was part of student council for two years and secretary of Honor Society for one year? Or is it best to keep in narrow and only about math even though math is only one of the fields I have succeeded in?</p>

2

<p>the accomplishment story, but with a sort of side comment within that story about your struggle and how it affected you and made you stronger.</p>

3

<p>i found this link (on the conn. college website) about ‘essays that worked’ to be terrific. there’s a drop down box on this link [Connecticut</a> College: Essays that Worked](<a href=“http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/11189.htm]Connecticut”>http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/11189.htm) and you can read 15+ essays and get some ideas. one of my favorites is this one [Connecticut</a> College: Sarah Seigle '12, Montpelier High School, Montpelier, VT](<a href=“http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/11448.htm]Connecticut”>http://www.conncoll.edu/admission/11448.htm) where the writer conveys what her sundays are like with homework and family. i gather that some people write their essays about accomplishments or something tramatic…but instead of writing about years of math accomplishments, why not write about one specific day in the 1st person…and show the reader what it meant to you.</p>