About experience, country, education - How should I write this essay?

Hello you guys, well let me start by telling you, that I really appreciate your help with the previous essays, I really learnt things that I had never considered doing when writing an essay.

I have to write my college application essay, but I am sure how can I write it. This is what the essay should contein:

-An overview of your educational and life experiences
-What you plan to do upon completing your education
-Why you wish to return (or not return) to your home country

I wanted to ask whether it would sound too cliché if I write about my father abandoning me and my family, how it affected us. A very close person's alcohol problem, and how it helped make the decision that I never want to drink and get wasted. I am doubtful about the alcohol issue because I don't want it to sound like I am desperately trying say that I am not the kind of person who drinks and causes problems or is going to fail in academics (I want them to know that but I do not want it to sound desperate), plus the college has a dry policy. I also don't know how should I write my educational experiences and I am not sure if it would be a problem to say that I don't want to return to my home country, what should I write about this?

thank you.

"plus the college has a dry policy."

what do you mean by dry policy??

i think writing about your father is a pretty good idea. just make it sound personal and natural. i don't think it'll sound desperate at all.

and as far as what you plan to do upon graduation, just write about your aspirations. why are you going to college and what are you going to do with the education you acquire? basically, what do you want to do with your life?

and, you can say you don't want to go back to your home country...just have a good reason for it.

hope this helps!

E.Z. =)

Thanks for your help, and by dry policy I meant that the college does not allow alcohol in any of the campus facilities.

What about my educational experiences, what should I write about this? Is it a good idea if I say that I have not always been an excelent student, or that though I lack of extracurricular activities and community service I am eager to develp those skills on their campus with their programs?

First of all, relax.

Not every student who goes to college is an A student, or an award winner. Most students are just average. I don't think they care so much about that as they do the kind of person you are. Did you work hard in school? Were you dependable? Were you respected by your teachers? These are the things that matter.

In your essay tell the truth. Just realize that you don't have to be world-class great to impress the app committee--just honest and engaging.