<p>I have a condition called trichotillomania. For anybody who hasn't heard of it, trichotillomania is an impulse/anxiety disorder in which I will pull out large quantities of my hair.</p>
<p>I really want to talk about this condition in my essays. I'm no where near recovered, but it has been a large part of why I am who I am today. I would talk about this in my essay: how it has and will continue to affect me; how it's shaped my life; how I've attempted to raise awareness through my blog, which has gained 5k followed since it's start.</p>
<p>However, I'm weary because trichotillomania is often related to stress and depression. I know admissions committees are always cautious when admitting a student who admits they have a mental illness, and (from what I've read) it's the general rule not to discuss such things in your application and interview.. I want to know if you think writing about trichotillomania will be too big of a risk; I'm applying to a handful of selective schools, and I really don't want to do anything that will jeopardize my application.</p>
<p>This question is pertinent to me, too. Should one write about “taboo” issues? I understand fully how trichotillomania might be a part of you, as I’m struggling with an issue that college admissions might also be wary of, yet it almost defines me. Omitting it would be like ignoring a part of me that has moulded some of my characteristics and decisions. But I’ve heard, like you, that mention of such topics is unwise. It’s infuriating: they say to be genuine and display your true self, but they probably only want “normal” genuine people in the end. Ultimately, I wouldn’t risk it. Your application might very well encounter a narrow minded, biased admissions officer. I know this from experience: humans fear what they do not know or understand.</p>
<p>I see it differently than the first responder. I work in higher ed, though not in admissions, but here’s my two cents: Young students come off on paper as very self-centered and not very worldly. An outstanding college admissions essay shows that you’re not stuck inside your own first-world problems. (However, do NOT write the “my mission trip changed my life” essay. That one is so overused it’s hardly readable and makes everyone roll their eyes.) If you can write your proposed essay without sounding like you’re trying to garner sympathy, it may be ok. Are you certain there aren’t more significant experiences you could write about that might be less focused on your own medical/personal problems? (Side note, I’m in treatment for the same condition! But I never would have considered writing about it because I didn’t want my application to be filed under, “Applicants with little awareness of the world around them but good academic records.”) Sorry for the tough words, but that’s the reality check, I think.</p>
<p>I don’t see a problem with mentioning it. It seems like you want to mention it, so I would. But focusing your entire essay on it might be a mistake.</p>
<p>As for a “narrow-minded admissions officer”, seriously, if they have narrow-minded admissions officers, would YOU want to go there?</p>
<p>The general rule is to not discuss medical or disability issues, but many people do, for example, when I do alumni interviews. However, if you do get some rejections, and did mention your condition, please don’t pin it on “they don’t want me because I’m ‘sick’”. Again, back to “they don’t want me, so why would I be happy there?”.</p>
<p>Could you consider being more vague, but also as others said, pull in how your dealing with a difficult family issue (yes, you are part of your family!) has led to you understanding yourself and others better? Or perhaps, if you have met others and reached out to them through your blog, you can talk about dealing with them.</p>
<p>Gee - this is a tough one.
It’s hard to walk the line between showing how you dealt with adversity and over sharing.
Here’s an article to illustrate my point:</p>
<p>Admissions Officers do not want to read a sob story, no matter how well it’s written. Colleges want to read about how you have achieved success despite your adversity – not about the adversity itself or how it’s consumed your life or how it will continue to affect you. Since you have not fully recovered, I would counsel you write about something else, as you would be basically hanging out a sign with your application that says “If you admit me, I’ll be a drain on your student health care system as I still need treatment.” One of highest expenses at colleges today is health care, and as some student health care systems are already maxed to capacity, why would a college accept you when presented with this scenario? Think about it seriously for a moment. If you were an Admissions Officer, would you admit a student that still has a heroin problem? Or, an alcohol addiction? No, you would find some other reason to not admit this student and move on.</p>