<p>I think you’re missing my point. Anyone can write an essay about their hardships and dreams and not make it a sob story. To make your essay compelling and to stand out from the crowd, you need to demonstrate that whatever life has thrown at you, you have succeeded despite that hardship. Read the examples at the bottom of this page: [Essays</a>, Admission Information, Undergraduate Admission, U.Va.](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html]Essays”>http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/writingtheessay.html)</p>