<p>So one of the new prompts this year asks about failure, and I immediately thought of writing about something I've been facing for the past couple years now. If I were to write about my trichotillomania (I compulsively pull at my hair) and how I've been trying to stop but failed to repeatedly for a good amount of time, would it hurt my application? Although I still have it, it's dramatically less than before (when I couldn't even fall asleep earlier than 2am because I couldn't stop). </p>
<p>I'm confident I could write a powerful essay on it since the whole situation has affected me in a lot of ways for the better, but I've seen a lot of posts here on CC saying that even mentioning a psychological disorder on your application can be detrimental...</p>
<p>However I do have pretty good grades. If it matters, i'm planning to apply to CMU, MIT, CalTech, Cornell and a few other schools. Should I just write about something else?</p>
<p>I haven’t. I just don’t understand why it would hurt to write about though if it’s only occasional now, because from the very beginning it’s never affected my grades or anything. But will colleges still see it as something that will hinder my performance or cause me stress in the future?</p>
<p>I actually have a friend who just graduated high school. She wrote about that exact condition, and got into some wonderful schools. It’s how you go about it, and how well you write.</p>
<p>But did she write about her completely getting over it? That’s what i’m really worried about, because I keep thinking that if I write that i’m not, then they might see it as something that may get in the way of my performance and just straight out reject me…</p>
<p>Thanks for the reassurance though, I think i’ll just do this topic and choose my words really carefully.</p>
<p>Just don’t do it. Students make the mistake of thinking that colleges want to “get to know them” through the essay. They do not really want to get to know you.</p>
<p>They want to see if you are literate, give you a handy label, and determine how well you will contribute to the community. If you see any way that a compulsive behavior enriches your ability to contribute to a community or make you a must-have applicant, then write the essay. I don’t think it does.</p>
<p>Okay, I’m kind of getting mixed answers here… but thanks for all the advice.</p>
<p>Can anyone else offer anymore input? Because I really have no idea what else I could possibly write about that won’t come out as a generic I-learned-so-much-during-this-internship/summer-program topic…</p>
<p>You can write about it, but it’s important that the essay doesn’t make the admissions officers question whether or not you would be able to function well on a college campus. Honestly, the essay prompt about failure makes me a little nervous. If done well, the essay could be powerful. If done poorly, it could make a person look undesirable. I would be careful, but if you truly think it is the best essay prompt write about it. Make sure a couple people look at the essay and see what their opinions are.</p>
<p>Most importantly, I really do think you need to have overcome the obstacle. If your disorder still hinders you in a noticeable way, I would write about something else. Best of luck!</p>