<p>I am applying for UCLA's Community College Transfer Scholarship, and one of the essay prompt's is, "Why now? Why us? Please explain why you are now ready to transfer to a four year institution, outside of just completing the academic requirements. Also, please highlight why UCLA is one of your choices for attendance."</p>
<p>I do not know how honest to be. See, one reason UCLA is a top choice, AND a reason that I am "now" read to transfer, is because of the role UCLA has played in my recovery from severe anorexia nervosa. I was treated on their inpatient eating disorder unit 5 times, and some of our activities gave us wonderful opportunities to explore the campus. Additionally, their eating disorder program, among the other programs I have attended, has been paramount in helping me become more stable in my recovery. This material will probably help me write the best essay I can write. However, I am unsure as to whether or not it is wise to disclose this to the scholarship committee. </p>
<p>Alternatively, I can address the medical struggles I have faced (many of them, admittedly, were CAUSED by the eating disorder, but are not exclusive to the eating disorder, while some of them are wholly unrelated). I have struggled with congestive heart failure (which is partially resolved), bacterial meningitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, an autoimmune bleeding disorder which required chemotherapy and other intense treatments, and have needed surgeries on my leg, both hips, and my heart. I DO address these medical conditions in the application because they prohibited me from participating in volunteer work. I could probably easily write an essay discussing how my treatment at UCLA has opened my eyes to the research opportunities available and to the wonderful work they do. I am also a UCLA legacy, with my mom and sister both receiving degrees from UCLA.</p>
<p>Do I play it safe and omit the eating disorder, or should I be frank and honest? </p>
<p>The rest of my application is decent. I have a 4.0, work as the only supplemental instructor in my school's anthropology department (a supplemental instructor is kind of like a TA blended with a student teacher/group tutor), I was a competitive figure skater for years, worked as a figure skating coach for years, and also am a private academic tutor. I wish I had more awards/volunteer work, but the life I have lived up until recently has not really allowed for those.</p>