Chance? Risky essay - eating disorder

Hello,

My daughter wrote a beautiful essay about overcoming her eating disorder, but I’m worried how colleges will view this. Her English teacher said it made her cry. But I’m extremely concerned that it would be seen as potential risk to admissions. For one of her supplements, she discussed how she has learned to love cooking, baking, etc. and connected it to her love of chemistry. The essays were amazing but it’s the topics that concern me. She has stellar grades, community service, and research (she kept this all up while battling anorexia her freshman year, shows resilience). Not submitting ACT/SAT scores because test dates were all cancelled. Her coursework this year is college sophomore/junior level in hard sciences (literally, dual credit at a community college). Has a 4.0 uw gpa. I think her essay makes her stand out from the pile of high gpa, test-optional applicants but I could be wrong.

So, does anyone have an opinion on this? I don’t want it to ruin her chances but, at the same time, I think it makes her stand out. She has a second mediocre common app essay she could use but it really isn’t anything special. She’s applying to many ivies and just submitted an EA with the risky common app essay so it’s too late to change that. But for the next batch of applications - any advice?

If an experience like that is phrased in a positive way - showing personal growth, insight and strength of character - I think it would be well received by an admissions counselor. I have read that several times from college advisors as well. This is also an issue that so many face - to have dealt with it the way she did is very impressive. Good luck to her. She sounds like a strong young woman!!

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