<p>I am in the process of writing my essay for the Common App and I really want to open up and share something about myself that I don't see as a negative. I believe people should cherish the things that make them unique. Not sure if it will used against me. Part of me feels the schools that would reject me with this information aren't schools I would want to attend anyway. I am a applying to BFA and BA schools for Acting. </p>
<p>I was born extremely premature at 26 weeks only 1 pound 4 oz.
Considering all the issues faced the only side effects that I have is extremely mild or High Functioning Asperger's Syndrome as a preschooler. I miraculously am smart, funny but a bit quirky, happy-go-lucky kind of girl who has many passionate interests (theatre) Dr.Who,Big Bang Theory, Music -( Indie,Classical and Broadway) Foodie, Reading, Anglophile etc. I guess you could call me a pretty nerd. It is part of who I am but doesn't define me. I was mainstreaming through an excellent public school system. My parents didn't want me to go to private school because they wanted me to learn to function in the real world.
I was never worried or concerned about being a bit different or popular but I was a confident, happy and excellent student who had a handful of good friends. I am sociable and outgoing - not a mean bone in my body. I like and except myself and if others don't get me it's their problem. I've been told by many adults I am extremely interesting...</p>
<p>Don’t really see any benefit in disclosing. They won’t hold it against you but it won’t give you any advantage either.
While admirable you have survived an early infant stage crisis, nothing earth shattering in this disclosure.</p>
<p>If you do disclose it, build on it, not just mention it. If you can’t build on it, then don’t mention it. </p>
<p>“Considering all the issues faced the only side effects that I have is extremely mild or High Functioning Asperger’s Syndrome as a preschooler.”</p>
<p>That’s what I’m saying. Elaborate on how the issues affected your development.</p>
<p>However, your writing has also some flaws:</p>
<p>“I miraculously am smart, funny”
Well, I’m not sure if stating plainly your qualities is going to impress your readers. Let them decide for themselves whether you are smart or funny. </p>
<p>"I like and except myself "
You like and accept yourself, I guess.</p>
<p>“if others don’t get me it’s their problem”
Why would you write that in an admission essay? I’m sure that’s not your intention, but I honestly I think it sounds like: “if you don’t get my essay and don’t admit me it’s your problem”</p>
<p>“I’ve been told by many adults I am extremely interesting…”
Avoid such phrases. They say next to nothing about you, and even worse, they sound like you’re bragging.</p>
<p>I spent the 1st 3 months of my life in the Natal Intensive Care Unit.
My mother couldn’t physically hold me for the 1st 3 weeks of my life. I was attached to tubes etc. Do you have any idea what a 1 pound 4 oz baby looks like compared to the average 7-8 pounds? My 1st day baby picture was reddish-purple,tiny baby looking thing with tubes not a plump,pink bundle of joy.
Most people take it for granted that babies are born “normally”.
Social Pragmatics and ADHD issues were things I have had to deal with…
I’m not looking to having disclosure give me an advantage…just a more complete picture of who I am.<br>
The question in the Common App is Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, please share your story.</p>
<p>Earth Shattering? My parents didn’t know from hour to hour if I would survive.</p>
<p>disari21, Thank you for you valuable input. Bragging isn’t my style - my grades and resume, auditions will speak for my accomplishments. I realized that it’s important to believe in yourself and the most important person to like you is yourself. It wasn’t meant as a threat. Growing up I didn’t “fit in” but I didn’t look at it as bad.</p>
<p>I don’t even know what context you would disclose these kinds of things in…if your health problems have significantly affected your high school life, that could be included in the Additional Information section of the Common App or in your guidance counselor recommendation, but otherwise there’s not really any reason to talk about this stuff. Stories from when you were a baby will not tell colleges what you are like now, whether you would fit into their school. </p>
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<p>Show, don’t tell. In itself, this description applies to a lot of people and it’s boring.</p>
<p>From what you’ve described above, the issues you faced in the early part of your life were physical issues for you that have been overcome and that you don’t remember. They resulted in emotional issues for your parents, but that should have nothing to do with your essay. I vote against mentioning (I wouldn’t refer to it as disclosing, there is no need for it to be covered or kept in secret).</p>
<p>It’s ironic, as your writing style here is basically validating your Asperger’s.</p>
<p>If you feel the need to mention it, how about showing how you’ve adjusted by trying harder to empathize with others? That will prove to others that you haven’t been hindered by your condition. Writing a bunch of ‘me, me, me’ statements will not help your cause, especially if it’s symptomatic of Asperger’s.</p>
<p>CHD2013, Many of the issues I’ve had to deal with were not things that went away or I don’t remember.
Being an very extreme premie left me with developmental delays that required a lot of work over the years.
My essay will not be a pity party rather an appreciation for the gifts that came as a result of what I’ve experienced My background story and what I’ve survived is reason to celebrate.
My enthusiastic, focused passion for my interests lead me to what I am pursuing as my major.</p>
<p>I think this could be a grand essay. Most of the posters above me seem to subscribe to a very particular viewpoint of what a college essay should be. Not all “riskier” topics turn into a good essay, but in all of the exceptional college essays I have read, the authors take risks. </p>
<p>I think you’re smart enough to pull this topic off. You brought it up, so it’s obviously important to you. That’s really what they’re looking for. No one else on this board has any idea what is and is not important in your life, so don’t listen to them. Listen to yourself.</p>
<p>“No one else on this board has any idea what is and is not important in your life . . .”</p>
<p>That is quite true. However, we were all able to read the issues as framed by the OP. This framing seems to indicate an approach which is not risky but a little off-topic. For example, describing yourself as someone who has overcome a premature birth and now sounds like a totally normal high school kid does not really tell the reader who she is. Sure, this could turn into a great essay but the path isn’t evident from the initial post. </p>
<p>Its not the disclosure that’s the problem its the content that is emphasized in the post. Here’s a few topics that should probably be avoided:</p>
<p>I miraculously am smart - avoid
I guess you could call me a pretty nerd. - avoid
I am sociable and outgoing - not a mean bone in my body.- fine but show don’t tell
I like and except myself and if others don’t get me it’s their problem. - avoid
I’ve been told by many adults I am extremely interesting… - avoid</p>
<p>Notice no mention of Asperger’s Syndrome above</p>
<p>“My essay will not be a pity party rather an appreciation for the gifts that came as a result of what I’ve experienced”</p>
<p>Perfect. That should work well as long as it tells the reader about who you really have become (regardless of obstacles), you come across as someone the reader would like to have on campus and you use an interesting and competent writing style.</p>