<p>Hello! This is my first post here on College Confidential, and I am looking for advice regarding my transfer essay.</p>
<p>I am currently on a gap year after having spent two years at McGill University. My major was undeclared, though I took many classes in East Asian Studies, which was to be my future declaration. However, due to the size of the school (too large for me!), my emotional immaturity (I started attending when I turned 17), a two-year long depression as a result of sexual assault that took place right as I was graduating from high school, and a growing dissatisfaction with the school's East Asian Studies department, I am now looking to transfer to a smaller school with a better East Asian Studies department. I am also now interested in Gender and Sexuality Studies, and perhaps Psychology, as a result of my experiences. I have received counseling for my depression, and am now much better prepared to face my undergraduate education!</p>
<p>As a result of not attending classes (due to my crippling depression) I have an extremely poor GPA at McGill (a D, around 1.62). However, I have been attending classes at Harvard Extension school and their Summer School for a several years, and currently have a 3.64 GPA there. </p>
<p>In my effort to best explain my situation and my experiences to the admissions officers, I am wondering if it is in my best interest to include my depression and sexual assault. I understand that it is a very touchy subject, uncomfortable to read, and very risky. It may put off a number of readers, and perhaps jeopardize my acceptance. However, as well as feeling that I have overcome my struggles and am now a far more mature and prepared student for those experiences, I also feel that they will best frame the reasons for which I would like to double major in East Asian Studies and Gender and Sexuality Studies - perhaps even going on to attend grad school to research relationships of sexual violence and women in Asia. It would also best explain my recent involvement undergoing training to become a sexual assault support group facilitator. All in all, I am grateful for my experiences because they awakened in me a passion and drive for a topic that previously didn't seem as interesting to me.</p>
<p>For those mixed reasons, I feel somewhat apprehensive to include what is perhaps the most important motive behind my current path - my enlightened character, my new interests, and my solidified knowledge of myself and what I want out of my academic career - in my transfer essay.</p>
<p>I would love some advice from you! For one, do you think it is wise for me to write about my experiences in my admissions essays? As a supplementary essay? As part of my primary essay? At all? Secondly, how may I best cover such a difficult and emotional subject without appearing whiny or negative, or without putting off or scaring an admissions officer? Thank you so much!</p>