Hi! I’m currently applying to colleges through common app and an essay is required for a few of my choices.
In one of the prompts, which is about failure, I could easily write about my experience with chronic illness and how it affected me and my schooling. The prompt is about failure and unfortunately I failed 2 classes and had to make them up later due to it. My illness is under control and I’m mostly healthy and stable now, but would this be something I should leave out of my applications? Would telling them about my illness affect my chances of my getting in? And if I do write about it would it sound like I’m making an excuse for my failing grades? Thanks!
You should only address it in your common app essay if the experience is integral to your personal growth and how you tie it in to your “story.” Otherwise, either your GC can discuss it, or you can mention it in the additional information section.
I’d say to write about your illness in some way other then related to school (write some sort of emotional piece about it) and then address why it caused the bad grades in the personal information. This way, schools will really know what you were/are up against.
It is fine to include that in your essay. You can certainly mention how it impacted your schooling but I would focus on what your illness taught you as a person, how it impacted your view of the world, your goals, how it forced you to grow/mature etc (whatever is true). And be sure to say that your health has stabilized. Be sure to not make it a “woe is me” type of essay.
I disagree with @EM24601 Do not write an emotional piece about your illness. The purpose of the essay is to show the school why they should admit you, not why they should feel sorry for you. You can write about how your illness made you stronger and more determined to reach your goals or something along those lines. Don’t use your essay to explain poor grades. Your GC should explain that they were related to the illness that is now under control.