<p>I'm about to start writing my common app essay and was thinking of writing about how I was diagnosed with Tourettes at a young age. It is a mild case, I have no vocal ticks, only a few motor ones, but nevertheless I was wondering if this would be a good hook for a college essay or will colleges be wary of it thinking of Tourettes as a disruption in the classroom. Also I am hoping to apply for an ROTC scholarship at any school I attend. Will Tourettes keep me from doing that? If I put it on my essay will ROTC see that and consider rejecting me do to Tourettes?</p>
<p>I believe Tourettes would prevent you getting into ROTC.</p>
<p>I don’t see it as much of a hook, either. Colleges and universities don’t really have a particular need, or even a particular desire, to admit students who have Tourettes.</p>
<p>Sikorsky, so do you think it would be just better to leave it off alltogether and just avoid the possibility of it messing with a possible ROTC scholarship?</p>
<p>Tyler, read this: [Tourette</a> Syndrome Military Service](<a href=“http://www.tsa-usa.org/aPeople/LivingWithTS/military.htm]Tourette”>http://www.tsa-usa.org/aPeople/LivingWithTS/military.htm).</p>
<p>Whatever you decide, please remember it’s “tics”, not “ticks”.</p>
<p>Tyler,</p>
<p>You’ll be required to tell them about the Tourette’s diagnosis as part of the medical evaluation, whether or not you reveal it in the essay. You may then be able to seek a waiver to allow you to join, but it sounds like it’s not an easy process.</p>
<p>From the linked article
This is obviously a dated article since the services have met their recruitment goals for a while and have less need to consider appeals. [Defense.gov</a> News Article: All Active Services Meet Recruiting Goals Through August](<a href=“News Stories”>http://www.defense.gov/News/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=118140)</p>
<p>Fair point. I intended to convey via the linked article that Tourettes can be an obstacle to military service, let alone to ROTC scholarships, which are pretty competitive. But I did’nt actually say that, did I? </p>
<p>I wouldn’t expect the barriers to be any lower going forward.</p>
<p>I say go ahead and do it. The essay can be (and is) used to show how you have overcome obstacles in your life- issues that the average Joe did not face. It personalizes you. Just be sure not to portray yourself as a victim- no one wants to hear that- but do write about how have dealt with this issue. I know someone who had excellent results- excellent- and wrote about his hearing loss–How? He focused on how he dealt with it- how he founded an ABC Club(anti-bullying), how he took ASL (American Sign)after practically failing Spanish-how he tutored toatally deaf kids-concrete examples.</p>
<p>I know its late now but anyone with Tourettes who comes across this for the following years, you should absolutely write about your Tourettes. Its a fabulous story of yourself and you will get special consideration for it. The poster who said it would hurt your chances doesn’t know what he is saying. Having Tourette’s will be difficult for ROTC admittance, but the chance to write about it and what you have been through and have overcome will be the only chance you have to be considered Most students have nothing good to write an essay on and having Tourettes gives you a fabulous story. Plus Colleges are truly nurturing and caring places, they love diversity and teach tolerance and understanding and you and your condition would help do that. </p>
<p>Please use old threads for information only, do not post and revive them.</p>