<p>hey guys - i posted a thread a few days ago about this, but have rethought it and realized that i have more of a problem than i thought...</p>
<p>i love to write, and a piece i wrote was recently published in a national teen magazine. i want to put this on my college applications becuase it certainly speaks to my love of writing; however, the article i wrote is extremely personal, and concerns topics that i'm not sure i want colleges to know about. i'm afraid that the information about me that the adcoms would get from the piece would alter their views of me - that they'd see me for the issue i discuss in my writing rather than who i actually am (the piece discusses a psychological issue that is commonly misunderstood). would it be okay, in your opinions, to include that i WAS published, but to NOT include the article in the application or what the article was about? would this be suspicious? should i omit my being published from the application entirely?</p>
<p>If you were nationally published, there's always a chance that the admissions office or any interviewer will find your article by Googling. I am an alum interviewer and usually Google students whom I am asked to interview. Heck, in NYC, it has been routine for years for people to Google people who ask them out on dates.</p>
<p>It's up to you whether to include the article with your application, but don't assume that the college won't see your article anyway. Admissions officers probably read magazines, etc. about teens, and may even recognize your name when they see your application.</p>
<p>The world is a very small place now because of the Internet. I would never publish anything (even "anonymously") that I wouldn't want read by a future employer, etc. </p>
<p>I do NOT suggest leaving off your app that you were nationally published and where you were published because that's such a big deal that unless your article was about something like your drug habit or your being a child molestor, it's likely to boost your admissions chances.</p>
<p>In your case, too, there's always a chance that your GC or a reference may refer to your psychological condition since by publishing about it, you've made it public knowledge anyway.</p>
<p>heh. nope, it's nothing incriminating or anything like that. it's just an issue that many people make fun of or misunderstand.</p>
<p>also - my school doesn't know about it, so they couldn't let my college know. i'm also recovered now. the article is basically about how i got through it.</p>
<p>either way, that's a good point - you'd probably be able to find it by googling, anyway. it's just a touchy subject for me, but i suppose you're right...thanks!</p>
<p>Since it's an issue that many people make fun of, the fact that you have it and were therefore inspired to educate others by publishing an article in a national magazine also strengthens your case for admittance. Colleges tend to be impressed by students who are inspired to help or educate others because of their own misfortune. That's better than students who have challenges, but only want to whine about them or hope that colleges will cut them a break.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>I'd post it even if the article said that I was caught speeding with two hookers while under the influence of alchohol with an illegal immigrant carring two pounds of cocaine in the backseat.</p>
<p>Just make sure it show you in a positive light--even a bad event can make you seem good and helps you stand out.</p>