Scholarship / 3 different writing options for a scholarship, which is best to answer? [2]

*In 250 words or less*
1. Why do you deserve to win this scholarship?
2. Describe your academic or career goals.
3. Any topic of your choice.

I'm trying to stay away from #3 because that opens a whole new world of indecisivness for me, so out of the first 2, which would be the best to answer?

If I answer the first one, I can tell about my dad losing his job and we had to blow through my college savings to get by, but I don't know if they want to hear another sob story. Let me know you thoughts, thanks!

- Kristin