<p>I know you're supposed to avoid this topic like the plague, but I consider myself to be a good writer (have won various awards - Scholastic Writing Award, have been featured in the Kenyon Review...). So, I was wondering: if I could make this topic unique, really delve into it without making it some kind of self-deprecating sob story, could it work? Or is there absolutely no way that anyone could turn this into a worthwhile essay? (J.K. Rowling herself could not salvage such garbage?) I really think it could help me, by explaining how it has affected me, changed me for the better, made me a better thinker, etc, etc. I don't know, I really think it could work, but I'd like some opinions on this. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Assuming it can work, you might also want to consider whether you want to be discussing depression with the AdComs. There have been a number of threads on this topic; if my "subscribed threads" come back I could point you to one. You could search the archives though.</p>
<p>Extremely personal topics like that should be avoided unless you're extremely good at creating an interesting narrative that, while about a common topic, will make the reader believe that how you are describing the topic is unique to you... write an essay that the admissions officers will think of first when they think of "depression essays." If you can't do that, pick another topic.</p>
<p>Would a supplemental essay suffice? And, if so, could I write it in the same vein as a personal statement (serious yet upbeat, non self-pitying...)? If I had an explanatory letter from a guidance counselor, would that do? Or should I complement that with a supplemental essay? I'm so confused here; any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>As long as it doesn't sound self-pitying it's fine. I know a lot of people writing about personal things, it's the approach you take.</p>