Hikes and Bikers--In the initial questionnaire there are boxes in which you explain your ethnicity, being first generation going to college, and any particular adversity issues. THIS is the place to put a carefully crafted line or two about your particular adverse situation ("I have been homeless since my parents died when I was 16." "My mother is handicapped and I have had to work while attending high school to support my family." "My mother was addicted to crack when I was born but then I was adopted by my two dads" "I immigrated to the US after a natural disaster in my home country at 14 and did not speak English." To the other adults reading this, you will know that these are high profile examples of recent cadet and midshipmen graduates) These boxes are where you can say to the admissions office, "YOU HAVE TO KNOW THIS ABOUT ME." It involves risk but if you are truthful and can elaborate in your essay on how you overcame this adversity--you won't have to use so many words. Also, stick to the word limit. Your BGO and high school guidance counselor should also help to tell your unique story. You will not be able to copy and paste in an essay that exceeds the word limit into the essay space--your last words/sentences will be cut off. Good luck.
Last, and importantly--be sure to slip in at least one line in your essay about what you have learned from experiencing and overcoming your adverse situation: are you a more compassionate leader? Are you not afraid to speak truth to power and do the right thing under difficult circumstances? Think about the consequences of your power to overcome difficulty--resilience is a relatively new key concept for service members--adn the services are investing a great deal in recruiting for and building resilience. If you are the King of Resilience...and can build resilience in others, say so.
