I’m not going to sugarcoat anything, so here goes: I had anorexia during sophomore year of high school, and I am wondering if I should talk about it in my it common app essay?
It was a hugely significant part of my life. I am completely recovered now, and because of anorexia I actually visit other schools to talk to teachers and parents about the dangers and prevalence of such disorders, and have created a support group between women across many states. Also, the art that I created because of my struggles with anorexia won me an art exhibition in my city.
I just feel like its such huge part of my life, but everything that I read tells me that I should avoid talking about it like the plague!
I am planning to apply early to Harvard. I have like 5 other essays written out that I could use instead, but none feel right…
“but everything that I read tells me that I should avoid talking about it like the plague”
For nearly everyone, disease is a bad thing to write about because the essays generally read like this:
- I was diagnosed with a disease / disorder OR Born with a disorder
- I persevered though any complications faced, depression, etc.
- Now, I have a high GPA, am the president of six clubs, am a varsity sports captain, blah blah blah…
- Concludes with a platitude about never giving up in the face of adversity
However, you have something very special: Your dedication to raising awareness about and treating anorexia. To write an effective essay, you should focus primarily on your visiting other schools and support group, explaining why these have significance to you and what they say about your character. (I think the art exhibition could come off as bragging if it was already mentioned in the Common App awards / activities section – Discuss your art in general and its purpose / why you did it rather than the exhibition itself)
With some specific details (i.e. particular moments in you life) and vivid descriptions, I can envision a great essay on this topic. You would just need to be very careful to avoid the “typical disease essay” I outlined above.
@1golfer1 thank you for your comment! I am really considering it… I just worry that even though I am recovered and am trying to raise awareness, I may still be labeled as a “liability”. I’m not quite sure that I should take that risk… but, this part of my life has been undoubtedly the most influential and significant, and what’s life without a little risk taking?
I do think that there is a fear among admissions staff that an eating disorder could return and therefore it could be seen as a liability.
Even though this is a personal essay, you can be in control of how much information you want to give to the reader. So if you chose this topic, the focus needs to be about your personal journey to help others without going into too many details of your own illness. Focus on the positive and on how you can continue to help others.
Write this essay and see if you can achieve something that makes you a desireable candidate. Be realistic. You are under no obligation to divulge everything about yourself to a college. The point is to get in. See if this essay once it is written will help you “get in” more than the others you have written. Then decide.
Good luck!
This is (as you know) a tricky essay topic to write about. However, if this seems to be the topic that suits you best, then it wouldn’t hurt giving it a try. Write a couple of rough drafts, and see if you like the way the topic is turning out. If it seems to work, then use it! I’d suggest writing about the positives that the ED had on your life. You don’t want to make the eating disorder your main focus; show admissions representatives how you have grown from your eating disorder. Show them how this has shaped you into the person you are today. If written correctly, I think it has potential. You don’t have to include your whole story if you don’t want to. Write what feels comfortable to you. Good luck!