<p>In every application that I've started, I've noticed that there are sections for us to write about anything I think the admissions officers should know about me that I haven't stated elsewhere.</p>
<p>What should I write, if anything? How about why I'm applying to school and that it's one of my top choices? Since I'm in California, should I state that the state of the public education system here is making me look OOS?</p>
<p>Also, I have a fairly low GPA (3.2 UW/W). Though I don't state it in my essays, I suffered through a major depression all throughout high school, which I believe greatly affected my performance in school. However, last summer I decided to seek help; now I finally feel great and my academic performance has improved tremendously this year. I think it is a legitimate thing they should know about my circumstances, but I don't want to sound whiny or melodramatic.</p>
<p>Help, please!</p>
<p>“I suffered through a major depression all throughout high school, which I believe greatly affected my performance in school. However, last summer I decided to seek help; now I finally feel great and my academic performance has improved tremendously this year. I think it is a legitimate thing they should know about my circumstances, but I don’t want to sound whiny or melodramatic.”</p>
<p>Definitely worth stating. If you don’t want to come off as whiny, just state the facts.</p>
<p>“From freshman to junior year I suffered from severe depression. After being diagnosed and seeking help in the summer of 2010 I have seen a significant improvement in my grades and emotional health.”</p>
<p>I don’t know; this is very risky. No school wants to have a student with a history of mental illness.</p>
<p>Firstly, your depression would need to have been diagnosed by a medical professional who could verify your condition. </p>
<p>Secondly, you need to consider the implications of disclosing this information. Colleges are wary of admitting people with a history of mental illness, since it’s possible it would crop up again.</p>