<p>The first essay topic is: "Write a truthful page about yourself for us, an audience you do not knowa very tall order."</p>
<p>If I were to write about my experiences with bipolar disorder, would that be more of a turn-off ("she has a mental disorder!") or a potentially interesting essay?</p>
<p>I guess I'm asking for a judgment call here.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>It really depends on what you say. It is a dangerous path; I'd have to actually see the essay to make an accurate judgement.</p>
<p>If you are complaining or whining, it won't be recieved well. I think if you talk about something you deal with it has the potential to sound like whining even if you're just trying to be honest.</p>
<p>If you talk about how you use your disorder (? I know little about bi-polar, so forgive me) or how you've overcome something, it will be a lot better.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response!</p>
<p>It would be more of a "this is how it affects my life and philosophy" essay - I'll try to be sure that I'm not playing the sympathy card, though.</p>
<p>I wouldn't write about that. For one thing it's not that unusual, and so what you write might not be that distinctive or revealing.</p>
<p>I'm afraid you will fall into a trap. The trap is focusing on the experience instead of on its effect on you</p>
<p>My general advice on writing essays is to write about something really boring and make it interesting. If you think the best essay you can write is one about your experiences with bipolar disorder, write about it. However, I think that if you're a good writer, you can make any topic good. </p>
<p>This summer, I read "The Gatekeepers" about Wesleyan's admissions process. In it, an admissions officer mentioned that the school has asked the adcom to not admit students who clearly have a history of mental illness. However, the author was very clear when he pointed out that the ad com has repeatedly ignored this. I doubt Wesleyan is alone with this. </p>
<p>Unless your essay is outstanding, writing about a mental disorder can only hurt you. I don't think it would automatically reject you, but I think you should try something else. If you do want to write about your experiencs with bipolar disorder, I'd be happy to read your essay and comment on it. Just PM me.</p>
<p>Yeah, I can read/edit it, too. (I've already applied EA and am done with all my other apps).</p>
<p>My history teacher called the admissions people and this one guy said that an applicant should write about what makes him or her unique. So, for me, he said I should write about living in Tokyo. You should find what makes you unique intellectually. I'm sure you have something great. If you private message me, I would be glad help you out.</p>
<p>Some things to think about:
Do you have unique interests, hobbies, life experiences (that isn't too PC or snobbish...I was going to write about seeing prayer flags in Bhutan, but I read a Ted O'Neill speech where he made fun of people making prayer flags in Tibet...so I submitted that one to Notre Dame), opinions, etc. I can help you out if you want.</p>