Writing about Mental Illness in College Essays

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I have recently started filling out the common app. One of the prompts for the essay is listed below: </p>

<p>"Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story."</p>

<p>I feel incredibly compelled to write about my history with anorexia, depression, and anxiety. I have been in treatment for about a year and have improved so much. My struggles have shaped me into who I am today, and have dictated which profession I hope to have in the future (I'll be majoring in psych, hoping to get my Doctorate eventually). </p>

<p>However, I don't know if this is too risky to write about. I plan on applying to several schools, but my dream schools are Columbia University and Brown University. </p>

<p>An alternative writing topic could be my dual-enroll program which I have participated in for the past 2 years. Instead of taking high school courses, my junior and senior years have been entirely at a local university. Because of this, I will earn my associate degree by the end of this fall. I feel like this experience has truly shaped my studying skills and has exposed to me a variety of ideas. </p>

<p>I also don't know if this would be inappropriate to write about. </p>

<p>Basically, my question is... are either of these essay ideas appropriate? And if so, which would be the more compelling essay? </p>

<p>Thanks so much! </p>

<p>Abbey</p>

2

<p>Abbey, if you had already put your mental illness well behind you–completely recovered (or under control) for a significant amount of time rather than in treatment for a year–I would consider it a potential subject for an essay, but as things stand, I’m afraid it will just raise concerns about whether you are ready to live away from home and deal with a demanding curriculum. In addition, the student who has been treated for a psychological ailment and now wants to study psychology is a bit of a cliche. Your second topic sounds like a better choice. Good luck with your recovery and your future plans.</p>

3

<p>I think the first topic could be good, if you focus on a single event maybe. I dont think writing about your long history would be as focused.</p>

<p>You could hopefully find more help in the College Essay section of the fourm</p>

4

<p>Honestly… I don’t think either topic is going to help you with your reach schools. I think MommaJ hit the nail on the head about topic 1. Topic 2 – well, lots of students dual enroll. I don’t see a story that catches the attention of the admissions committee and reveals much about you as a person there. I think you should keep brainstorming… I am sympathetic, as I think the new prompts are not so great. But do another round, look a little deeper. I suspect there is more that is interesting and unusual about you than your mental health struggles and dual enrollment.</p>