Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
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<p>There is a great deal of pressure on college mental health professionals these days-- the percentage of students seeking counseling has skyrocketed and the ability of these overworked therapists to treat these students is pushed beyond the limits. In many cases all they can offer is a band-aid approach and hope that things work out. There is just no enough hours in the week or money in the budget to adequately treat the students.</p>

<p>Suicides, and other less dramatic self-destructive acts-- from binge drinking to cutting–have been rising and administrations, hearing from these mental health professionals (a number of whom are professional colleagues of mine), are on the look out for potential students who might get into trouble.</p>

<p>Ad Com folks are not immune from hearing about all of this on campus and even though there will be no overt policy, there can be a subtle bias against any applicant who might in the non-professional opinion (but that they know nothing about mental illness is not important for the purposes of this discussion) of the Ad Com. </p>

<p>Even creative writers who write about dark nights of the soul (Joan Didion would be shunned by many present day admissions folks for writing with tremenous honesty about her feelings in her essays) are being told by college counseling services --often made up of former ad com types-- NOT to write anything which might raise any suspicion of psychological issues–even though plumbing the depths is the mark of a good writer. Thus although you have over come (and brava to you!!) your OCD, it MIGHT be viewed in an unfavorable light–given the present climate on college campuses.</p>

<p>I suppose I am just saying, it has limited upside and catastrophic downside potential for your application so the risk/reward ratio is clearly in the be very careful in what you write on this topic range.</p>

<p>OCD, depression, bi-polar, ADHD, and a variety of other maladies are far more common than people are willing to admit, but our society --and colleges in general and many ad coms in particular–are not willing to admit and accept that.</p>

<p>That said, I wish you success.</p>

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<p>Yes, you can submit three SAT IIs (in different areas of study) and that will fulfill Middlebury’s standardized testing requirements. To be competitive, each of your SAT II scores should be in the 700s.</p>

<p>[Standardized</a> Tests | Middlebury](<a href=“Standardized Tests | Middlebury College”>Standardized Tests | Middlebury College)</p>

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<p>to etondad,
Thank you for your very thoughful post on mental health issues vis-a-vis college students. You’ve articulated this issue in a way that’s helpful not only to the original poster, but to all of us -students and parents alike.</p>

<p>to upennvetgirl727,
Good luck with your ACT prep. Keep your expectations managed - Williams is a true reach school for everyone (disclosure - my D has applied and has her proverbial fingers crossed), but your academic efforts so far justify consideration.</p>

<p>regards…</p>

<p>lowdenf23c</p>

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<p>Here’s a suggestion, if you’re not already familiar with your college guidance counselor- start now, because I know at my school we were encouraged to talk to our college guidance counselor, or at least leave them notes, about issues that may have effected us (and our grades…) throughout high school, such as parents divorce, or even social issues. The guidance counselor can then relate the issues you faced to your school in their letter of recommendation. Ideally they would do this in a matter that makes you sound like an even worthier candidate because you overcame your challenges. Alas, if your school is huge (which it doesn’t seem like because you don’t rank) a close relationship with your guidance counselor would be nearly impossible, but it’s worth a shot.</p>