Including family responsibilities on my application

Hey everyone! I've got a lot of family responsibilities that have shaped my high school experience. How and where should I include this info on my college applications? What are some good examples of family responsibilities that colleges would find compelling? Thanks in advance!

Hi there! It's important to showcase your family responsibilities on your college applications as they paint a more holistic picture of your background and experiences. There are a few ways and places you can incorporate this information:

1. Additional Information section: This is a great place to provide context for your family responsibilities. You can briefly describe what those responsibilities were, the time commitment involved, and the impact it had on your high school experience.

2. Common App Activities section: You can list your family responsibilities as an extracurricular activity with details of your role and time spent on those tasks. Treat it like any other activity you're involved in, highlighting its significance, and your commitment to it.

3. Personal Statement or Supplemental Essays: If a specific family responsibility played a major role in shaping your character or has a unique story associated with it, you could potentially write about it in your main personal statement or in a supplemental essay if the prompt allows. This would give you more space to share your experiences, learning, and growth from these responsibilities.

Examples of family responsibilities that colleges might find compelling:

1. Assisting with the care of a younger sibling, elderly family member, or someone with special needs in your family, demonstrating responsibility and empathy.

2. Working at a family business, showcasing your commitment to supporting the family and gaining practical experience.

3. Helping manage household finances or related tasks, emphasizing your awareness and understanding of personal finance, organization, and time management.

4. Taking on additional domestic duties due to a parent's or guardian's illness or absence, highlighting your adaptability and resilience.

Keep in mind that the key is to show how these responsibilities have shaped you and contributed to your personal growth. Be authentic in sharing your experiences and emphasize the transferrable skills and qualities you've developed through your family responsibilities. Good luck!