Hello everyone,
I am currently a high school senior and my common app is basically finished, but there is one thing that I am unsure about, my personal essay. In it, I describe the stages of my depression and how it impacted me in great detail, and then I end it describing how I am in a much better place now and how the experience made me stronger. I wrote about it because I thought that overcoming the illness was an interval part of my story, but now I am having second thoughts. I have read on other forums that it is a red flag to include mental illness in essays, while others say go for it. Any thoughts/opinions? Any advice would be much appreciated!
I am guessing there is something else about you that would be a better topic for an essay. And given limited space for your essay, every sentence written about your problems is a sentence that could have been written about something that more clearly emphasizes things about you that would make colleges excited to have you enroll there.
If it illustrates your personality well and you really think it is a topic that means a lot to you, then I would go for it.
I actually wish CC would pin a thread about this, because it comes up sooooooo often. The answer is almost always no. Colleges are not eager to take a risk on a student who might be ill-equipped to cope with all the challenges and rigors of college. EVERYONE has some period of adjustment when they go off to college. For some, it’s the social aspect, for others its coping with college work, still others have a hard time being away from their families. Most students obviously manage to figure it all out and thrive, but a substantial number don’t. College campuses are expanding their counseling centers and there are waiting lists to get help. A lot of those seeking help didn’t have issues before arriving at college, or were managing things well in high school. Giving the college a big red flag before you get accpeted is not the best way to ensure acceptance. Surely there is something about you that is more interesting than the fact that you were depressed? Focus on that.
And another thought…you wouldn’t have asked if you didn’t have doubts. Trust your instinct on this.
Pretty sure everyone goes through depression during puberty. I wanted to kill myself so many times and cried a lot. It’s a phase… unless you were diagnosed with clinical depression of course. Even then, leave it out.
Thank you all so much for the advice guess I have to rewrite my entire essay now lol :)))
Yes, it is clinically diagnosed, but I’m gonna take your advice and rework my essay. I don’t want any schools having any worries about me as an applicant.
Someone was saying, avoid the 3Ds in your essay: Death, Disease and Divorce, because they are written about too often and sadly have become a cliche. (although obviously going through such a thing is very meaningful to the person going through it, and has great impact on them) I think we should add a fourth ‘D’ – Depression. Again very meaninful, also somewhat common, and tends to be a downer for the person reading it. I know they OUGHT to look at each essay with no prejudice and fresh eyes, but admissions reps are only human, so if they’re reading about a lot of 'D’s they may penalize you.
Good luck, I’m sorry you have to start fresh, but better to do it now rather than realize after the fact!
Just echoing advice given above: generally if you have qualms about disclosing something, then the answer is don’t do it. When in doubt, leave it out.
You’re brave to take this on, though, and brave to think of another topic for yourself to tackle.
Best of luck to you.
Just a comment: overcoming depression might have its benefits but it does not make you stronger in terms of your risk for getting depression again in the future. In those terms, you are actually “weaker” in that your risk for getting depressed in the future is much higher. I would not use the terms stronger or weaker - my point is that your essay about depression would clarify for the college that you have a higher than average risk for re-developing a mental health issue that could impact your success in college. I would avoid the topic and heed the “3D’s” advice above.
Let me put it this way. No one who reads such a story is going to come away thinking “overcame depression!” He/she is going to come away thinking “prone to depression.”
It’s best to not disclose on any application to people you don’t know. Disclose it to your close friends and family (unless you become famous, then you can do what Kristen Bell did too and use it publicly to better the world).
Take care of yourself! Depression comes and goes for many, many people. The key is to get through the cycle and be as proactive about prevention as you can be.
Perhaps you can talk about the strengths of being sensitive in some kind of philosophical way that would allow you to convey some of your experience, but in general don’t go down this road in an application. Good luck!
I agree with the others. Colleges are worried about suicide, to be frank. Give them a reason to want you, not to worry if you are a risky admit.
Yeah, I think depression is something that a lot of students go through and writing about a victorious battle with it becomes a tad cliché.
The objective of the essay is to get admitted, not to be a vehicle for catharsis.
Never ever put in the essay any reason for the college to say no.