<p>So I've written my Common App essay (prompt #3) about my experience in a mental hospital in 10th grade. I wrote about how I ended up there at the same time as a girl from my school who I had always thought was super happy and annoyingly cheerful, but I discovered that people can do a very good job of hiding things. I've tried to talk about how I've grown from the experience and stuck in a few things about how I am mentally stable and healthy now, but will this topic freak adcoms out and make them think I'm unfit for college? I appreciate any advice...thanks! </p>
<p>You never know… </p>
<p>By telling them you were once mentally unstable might not be such a good decision. I know what you are going for but maybe try to think of another topic. It could depend on the person reading the essay, but for the most part that experience may be something they don’t need to know about. </p>
<p>Does it really show that you will be a good fit for that school? Does it show that you will be successful in college? </p>
<p>Well thats just my thoughts… maybe talk to a advisor at your school and see if its appropriate. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Ok, thanks! I showed it to my English teacher who loved it, my guidance counselor agreed it was good as well so I am going to submit it! </p>
<p>I disagree with your teacher and counselor. I strongly believe you should find a different topic. Read on…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com/2012/12/taboo-topics-for-college-essays/”>http://www.collegeadmissionsstrategies.com/2012/12/taboo-topics-for-college-essays/</a></p>
<p>Hope this helps. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Coachjen-thanks for the article. I did dedicate a large portion of my essay to talking about how healthy I am today,would that make a difference?</p>
<p>Getting into college is so competitive nowadays. Why even give admissions, even less than 1% chance, of any doubt at all? Put yourself in admissions’ shoes. If you were admissions and have two students who have similar qualifications, one with a history of mental health issues resolved and the other without, and you can only admit one, who will you admit?</p>
<p>I am sure you are able to come up with another experience that can show off your wonderful traits. So my short answer is no. </p>
<p>Here is an article that you might find useful to help you decide…</p>
<p><a href=“Using College Mental Health Services Can Lead To Students Getting Removed From Campus | HuffPost College”>HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost;
<p>It sounds like a great essay but…you have to recognize that it is a huge risk, no matter how well written. The matter is that there is a huge chance it will get you rejected. You can assure them all you like that you are healthy but they, and you, are not in the position to know what is to come. There are large risk of relapse with mental problems. You are only talking about a year or so later, right? There is a huge liability issue and responsibility to the rest of the student body to bring in possibly unstable people they are in no position to evaluate. They are not going to second guess if you are cleared for good or not. I know it is very hard to have made an essay you are proud of and then put it away, but I suggest you save it for yourself to look back on later, and start again. I wish it wan’t like that because you do have a good story to tell, you will use it again, I’m sure.</p>