<p>I am considering writing my college essay on my struggles with depression, though I would do my best to make it as non-cliche as possible with an emphasis on how I managed to overcome my struggles. I don't know if this is the best idea though; it may be too risky of a topic. For one thing, my depression was pretty severe and I don't want ad coms to fear a relapse or reject me because I have a known history of mental illness. Of course, I don't think I'd go into the worst of the details... like the fact that I was almost hospitalized. </p>
<p>While figuring out to manage my depression and recovering from it encompassed the most defining moments of my life, I do not want to make it seem as if I am defined by my depression--- because I do have several accomplishments that stand well on their own. </p>
<p>I feel that I probably have to mention something about depression somewhere on the application, but perhaps this would be better to put under the additional information section? My record did not get incredibly blemished (HS GPA 4.3/3.9) but I did have a gap year after high school (did not attend the prestigious college I was planning to) where my depression hit really hard--- I got A's in a ton of choir classes and admittably did well working part time at See's Candies but got one C (in popular songwriting... because I was too upset to show up for the rest of the class... I honestly should have been failed... I didn't take the final) and a W. Aside from this, I will be applying as a transfer student from community college with a very excellent record. There are also other factors I could cite for my "off" year, rather than outright admitting to clinical depression, like my parents' divorce, my dad threatening to cut me out of the will, moving out of my home to live with another family, etc... but I don't want to make my app sound like I'm trying to make excuses or a sob story... lol... even as I write right now it sounds a bit melodramatic.</p>
<p>So given this info, any advice? Has anyone here written about depression on the application? Should I risk writing an essay on depression if I can make it meaningful rather than woe-is-me-I-had-teenage-angst? Or should I merely mention it in additional information, if at all? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>Hey I'm applying in a few months. I also plan on writing about something depression related but was worried it would seem like a red flag to ad coms. I'm looking forward to hearing the responses you get to this.</p>
<p>I don't mean to beat a dead horse, and I did do some searching before posting the thread. I just wondered if anyone could give my any advice concerning whether to even write the "depression" word on the application. Should I attribute my off year to the above listed stressers (as opposed to depression)? I think the general concensus is that mentioning depression on an app automatically makes you perceived as a liability? I apologize if this thread is redundant... I guess I just wanted some more opinions.</p>
<p>Do you feel that you need to explain some aspect of your record? If that is your main motivation, you could consider submitting a supplementary statement in addition to a personal essay.</p>
<p>I would suggest posting in the Parents Forum as well.</p>
<p>Yes, I do feel I need to explain my year off between high school and really nailing down in community college. I got a C and a couple of W's (withdrawals) that are very uncharacteristic. I could explain my parent's divorce, perhaps, and its impact, as well as my decision to move away from home and not receive monetary support. But I was also suffering from very accute depression, which also had a huge impact. I guess I just don't know how much detail is appropriate and what I should mention and what I should omit.</p>
<p>Writing a supplementary statement actually sounds like a really good idea. I just worry admissions officers may not read it and/or get annoyed with too many words on my application. I know they have a ton of reading to do. But I suppose a short, concise supplemental statement would probably serve me well.</p>