<p>I’m feeling pretty hesitant about making this thread in general so bear with me… (I typed up a big long thing, but felt it was too specific so sorry if this is bland). </p>
<p>I come from a pretty unique home situation. My parents divorced when I was a toddler, and the one that primarily raised me is mentally ill (receives disability insurance from the government). However, he doesn’t consider himself crazy and therefore refuses to take any medication. (The worst 
). </p>
<p>It’s been pretty difficult growing up in this situation, so I’ve been recently thinking this could be a good essay topic for the background story common app prompt. It’d probably show a lot about me, but I really don’t think I can do it. I think I would feel way too bad knowing this had a hand in my college acceptance. I just feel like I could still get into college without writing about my family in a negative light, and that writing about it wouldn’t make up for my GPA/test scores and likely change the results anyway so it isn’t worth it. </p>
<p>Originally, I haven’t even been planning to mention this family background anywhere in my app., but am I wrong to think this? Should I not feel guilty writing about this? I’ve seen all over CC people writing about their difficult home situations, but I don’t understand how they don’t feel guilty about it. What do you guys think? Feeling pretty conflicted…</p>
<p>Saying that you’re being raised by a mentally ill parent might not even be a good idea if it makes you sound like you could turn out to be a liability to the college. </p>
<p>If you’re just writing an overwrought sob story in an attempt to garner sympathy, then I’d consider it exploitative and you should feel guilty. But if the essay truly says something about you and gives perspective on who you are, then there’s no reason to feel guilty.</p>
<p>I have a “hardship” story but I’ve chosen not to write my essays about it because I think it made me a fundamentally different person than I would have been otherwise, and I don’t even know how I’d articulate that, especially without being overtly negative or falsely optimistic (“turns out it was a good thing after all!”)</p>
<p>Could it really turn out to be a liability issue? Is that definitely accurate? </p>
<p>And I may have come off wrong, but I definitely wouldn’t be writing it for a sob story. I don’t even think the essay would come off like that, but I don’t know – I haven’t drafted anything. If I was looking for a tear-jerker to garner sympathy then writing about this would be a no-brainer. I am, in fact, worried about the opposite. I don’t want to garner sympathy. I was just thinking that this may reveal something worthwhile to colleges, but who knows. I guess I’m not comfortable writing about it.</p>
<p>I don’t have the answer, but I am encouraging my kid to write about several topics and see what has the most potential. I wouldn’t edit out the idea now. Start writing and see what happens. It might lead you to an idea that’s even better.</p>
<p>If ur essay sounds like a sob story, then yes, ur a liability to them. If u show how u got stronger and learned from all this, then you’ll be good to go.
@redpoint rather than telling ur son to write out several essays, choose the most interesting. Writing one is a pain in the ***. Several is torture. If u want to see potential, then flow charts will do just fine</p>
<p>It really is all in the writing. This is clearly something central to your upbringing and has shaped your life and outlook and if you can express how you coped with this situation and worked with the cards you are dealt, there is no reason to avoid it. There is no liability issue in this story as long as you aren’t resorting to juvenile parent bashing. It is just your unique experience, the context in which you have lived. While it has potential to be a powerful essay, you don’t have to write about it you don’t want to. But don’t feel guilty about it.</p>
<p>Remember, that in the end, you aren’t just telling a story of things that happened that were out of your control. You are telling a story about what kind of person you have become.</p>
<p>This is something you have to find out for yourself. If you really feel bad and it doesn’t sit well with your conscience, go with your gut. Otherwise, just write your essay well and wisely (it doesn’t have to show your family in a negative light at all- if you’re very tactful).</p>