Is this essay to risky?

College Essays
1

I’ve written a draft for my common app essay about overcoming depression and treating the stigma associated with it! I know that this is some what risky, but I’d really appreciate feedback on it to see if I portrayed it in the “right way”. The prompt is:

Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

If anyone wouldn’t mind reading it for me I’d really appreciate it!

2

Big issues to steer clear of putting in the spotlight:

  • past episodes of depression
  • drug abuse

The bottom line is that colleges just don’t want to deal w those problems on campus.

The college essay is not an opportunity for personal catharsis. It’s an opportunity to give the college a reason to say YES.

3

I will take a look if you need it but I am also not a fan of that subject for college essays. It is a missed opportunity to show a better side of you. I do not think it is somewhat risky, I think it is hugely risky. And is this something years in the past and you have demonstrated constructive functioning since? Because that is something they can’t predict.

4

It’s not worth risking your admission on. Especially since this is a common app essay that will be sent to every college you apply to.

College is stressful. A big part of admissions is making sure that every student who gets in will be able to handle the stress, complete the curriculum, and hopefully thrive. Committees will be wary of accepting someone with a risk of relapse.

5

Too, not to! Letting you know in case you use it in your new essay. Good luck!

6

Thank you for all your feedback! It’s really hard to not write about something that has been so impact in my life, however I don’t want to put everything I’ve worked my butt off for over the last three years at risk over a single essay.

7

Don’t do it. Too risky.

8

I can see where you’re coming from.

But I think you’re missing the point.

This particular exercise has one point: to “give them a reason to say yes.” That’s it. They want to know a little about you, enough to know that you’ll be a positive contributor to all that the college stands for and hopes to be.

In spite of what so many kids seem to think, it’s not therapy. It’s not confession. It’s an essay that will hopefully leave the reader thinking “Yes, he/she will fit right in.” And you’ve only got 650 or so words in which to do it.

I would find another topic.

9

Make sure to show you get along with all kinds of people, value intellectual inquiry, can manage your time and life, and feel confident about the future. One way or the other, adcoms are looking for such evidence in your essay.

10

Absolutely. Do. Not. Do. It… See this: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-essays/1806253-will-this-essay-topic-get-me-instantly-rejected.html