I had a long post written out before, but I decided to delete it because the post was VERY detailed.
That said, I was thinking about making my CA essay about my eating disorder and how I turned this weakness (poor self-confidence, basically) into a strength (setting my mind to achieving anything). Thoughts?
Also, if you want to read my academic profile to see how it would go along with this topic idea, you can read that here: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1894117-is-nyu-or-usc-a-dream-or-a-possibility.html#latest
Thank you, and anything helps! 
You should not post your essay online, it opens you up to plagiarism risk. You have time to edit.
@intparent this is not my essay AT ALL. I was just elaborating on what my essay would be about. I would not be using any of the text I have posted here.
@intparent are you saying I should still take it down?
In general, I would not write on this. Don’t take the prompts too literally – remember that the college admissions office didn’t make up these prompts, they are from the Common App. You want topics that make them want you on campus. Anything about any kind of mental health disorder is a risk. If you feel a need to write about it, do it in a diary or talk with a therapist (and I genuinely mean that) – but don’t do it in your college essays. There is more to you than your eating disorder – show them that.
This type of question comes up every year. The consensus is the same: why write about something that would give a college a reason to be concerned about admitting you? I’ll grant you that writing about overcoming a problem seems like a strong response. I would not go there.
First off, congratulations on overcoming an eating disorder! They are nasty, nasty things that ruin lives. Never being hospitalized or officially diagnosed doesn’t make it less hard on you. Kudos, for real.
That being said, I don’t see this as a particularly compelling college essay. At least the way you describe it, you overcame your eating disorder by “setting your mind to it”-- while I’m glad you’ve recovered, this description seems to kind of blame a lot of people who continue to suffer with eating disorders. It doesn’t leave a great taste in my mouth, and I can’t imagine it would for the adcom reading either, especially if they had a close family member/friend with an ED. The background about middle school seems important when explaining how it started, but seems really out of place in a college essay-- if the thoughts of high schoolers are rarely organized into interesting thoughts/essays, thoughts of middle schoolers are probably more trivial.
Being vegan could be done if done right; I would leave out how it stemmed from an eating disorder, and avoid any harsh language against the typical diet with meat and dairy. At best, it comes off as “just another one of those preachy vegans…”, which may turn off an adcom. If you can spin it like it’s what you believe in morally and you don’t care if you get flak for it, and then show other examples of how your resistance to following the crowd has helped you in life (again, being careful to avoid “other kids partied, i studied, now i’m valedictorian and they work at mcdonald’s!” shaming language) then I think it could be a cool read.
@intparent Thank you for your honest opinion. I definitely agree with what you’re saying, but my idea was to show how I overcame the eating disorder and how it made me a stronger person mentally, physically, and academically. By overcoming it (with no treatment or therapy, FYI), I also proved to myself that I am capable of anything I set my mind to. Similarly, my “defining characteristic” would be about how I’m now vegan and how that has shaped my world view, too. If you still feel like this is too risky/too personal/doesn’t really showcase all I have, I would love some more advice. I’m really coming at this openly.
It is, bluntly, not a good topic. Pick something completely different.
@novafan1225 thank you for your genuine feedback! I figured I’d be getting some responses like the ones I have been getting, and I truthfully think it’s healthy for me to get this upfront advice. Yeah, I’m strongly leaning towards the vegan topic (and no, I am definitely not a “preachy” vegan, and people I know would tell you that, but I know a few who are haha). I also have never been one to “follow the crowd,” like growing up making YouTube videos despite people making fun of me, so I’m thinking of taking that spin (not necessarily the videos part, but the part about not following the crowd). Thanks again!
Let me +1 on the “don’t write about xxxxxx mental health problem”. Colleges might fail to admit you because they’re worried about something happening to you because you might fall into relapse. Suppose someone decided to write about overcoming depression. If that student relapses and commits suicide on campus or something (like in a dorm), it won’t look very good on the school.
Don’t pick a topic that can give the impression that you are mentally unstable, preachy, or just plain annoying.
This is very close to home for my family. Our daughter overcame an eating disorder. Her struggle concluded near the end of the tenth grade. Her overall profile as a High School student was extremely strong. The list of schools she was applying to was quite reach heavy. We had the discussion about how risky it was to write her primary essay about her experience with an eating disorder. As her parent I was troubled by the thought of an admissions person thinking less of our wonderful daughter, the thought of her entire High School experience being dismissed because of she being perceived as a risky admit.
Our daughter understood the risk, I was so intent on protecting her that I encouraged her to not to write about her eating disorder. She decided to, she felt she had to no matter the consequences. I supported her decision because it was her decision to make. I was very concerned though.
It worked out for her. I do believe she was extremely fortunate!
Best Wishes for your continued good health, and good luck to you!
I think sometimes people try to play it safe for fear of not getting in, when in fact many colleges are looking for someone to be real with them because there are soo many stories that are repeated. if this is truly how you feel, write about. I did. I didnt spend too much time on the “pity me” part, but I explained how getting treatment turned my life around and I am in fact a better person because of it. I assume the individuals who answer to these questions don’t have eating disorders or they don’t understand it. It is becoming such a real and true experience for so many out there. If you show how vulnerable you can be, sometimes that is the best way to show strength. Oh, and I was accepted with my essay I think people get it wrong when its not really an issue and theyre desperate to find something interesting. But only YOU know what has dictated YOUR life. Why is your relationship with your disorder different than other people?
GOOD LUCK!!!