I wrote and submitted a very inspirational piece about how I overcame my depression/anxiety and how it made a significantly stronger individual. I also included the fact that I now actively help fellow peers overcome these conditions. Will this raise red flags? I made sure to show that this was a thing of the past.
I think that your essay will make you appear as a stronger person, as it should. As long as you wrote it well, I think your essay will only help you.
@camtal4 Thanks for your insight. I’m just worried as I keep reading that it is not a good idea to mention things of this nature.
I can see why you would be worried about something like this, but I believe that any college admissions officer would, not, in their right mind, hold issues of your past against you. I believe that a lot of times, admissions officers reward you taking risks in things like your essays. For example, many essays used for Ivy League schools that I have read were very non-traditional essays.
I think it depends on exactly what you wrote.
If it’s submitted now there’s no sense in worrying about it.
@bjkmom Basically the general set up was this:
Intro: introduced the basis of how I felt
body 1: my decision to do something and never give up
body 2: the approaches I took
body 3: Overcoming it and how I became stronger
conclusion: The fact that I used my experience to help other peers
what do you think
@NavalTradition I agree but I am also looking to apply to one or two more schools with this essay
Again, without actually seeing the essay it’s impossible to guess.
Before you reuse it, think: The point behind this essay is to give them a reason to say yes to your application.
Does this essay do that? Or would another essay do it better?
Would not have suggested this if you had asked ahead of time. But what is the point of asking now?
@intparent I plan on applying to more schools
Well… the standard advice is to stay away from mental health issues. You may think they are in the past, but college admissions officers are adults, and they know that 1-2 years is a very short timeframe. Colleges are pretty reluctant to bring students on campus that may relapse with those issues. It looks like you also did not seek any professional help – the colleges might not be convinced that you have really put this issue to bed.
The point of the essay is to give them reasons to want you on campus. (And the prompts might make you think they want you to spill your secrets, but the prompts were written by the Common App staff, not college admission officers – they really don’t want that). You should at least consider another topic for other schools, I think.
@bjkmom Would you mind reading over it and telling me what you think?