groovyrubbish

I understand this topic is controversial...and most likely over used. But I would just like some advice. I haven't written it yet.

ADad

You might be interested in this thread:

Mental Illness in College Admissions Essays

pyewacket

My instinct would be not to. Even though overcoming such a disorder shows strength and courage, it's better to have your college essay display strengths that would not be seen as possibly having a weakness as their flip side. Imagine if it comes down to two statistically similar applicants for one remaining spot --one has an essay focssuing on an eating disorder, while the other writes about how involvement with a sport or artistic activity shaped his character--which one will they gamble on?

tweety218721

Hey! I'm in recovery from an eating disorder too. I've asked my college counselor and school counselor about including it in my application and they don't think it's a good idea. You never know who is going to be reading your application and what they think about mental illnesses. They might view it as a weakness even though we both know how strong you have to be to overcome them. Part of my eating disorder was caused by being raped at my school my freshman year. In the part where they ask you if there's any extra information you'd like to include and in my personal statement for two schools, I am briefly saying that I am a survivor of a violent assault and how it changed me for the better and how I overcame it. My college counselor is also briefly writing in her recommendation that I was attacked, it affected me emotionally and physically, and that she doesn't believe I was able to perform to my full potential because of it. We're also explaining that all my absences were a result of the attack. I missed SO much school last year. I was in the hospital a couple times, then I went into treatment at Remuda Ranch for 3 months (Jan-April).

Anyway, where are you applying to? I wonder if we're applying to any of the same schools. If you ever want to talk about anything, I'm here for ya.

groovyrubbish

OH MY GOSH> I went to RR too! IN Wickenburg...oh jeez...spring of '05! I was in Sagebrush. I am applying to Colby, COlgate, Amherst and...Brown...I think...I am not sure. One of my best guy friends is at Dartmouth and wants me to apply...but I think not. haha.


Thanks for the advice too guys, I thought of those reasons too...

tweety218721

OMG I was in Sagebrush too!!! That's awesome. =) Are you doing better now? I hope so.
It looks like we aren't applying to any of the same colleges. I'm applying to Pepperdine, Baylor, Scripps, Mills, the University of Denver, and a few state schools.

AC419

I WAS JUST GOING TO POST A TOPIC ON THE SAME THING.

my eating disorder wasn't as severe, [I was on the brink of hospitalization, but then something snapped in my head] and I wasn't underweight..just really dramatic loss, and my body shut down.

but I have fully recovered and wanted to write about that...
but I don't think I should?

lrnprcll

Quite bluntly- even though eating disorders recovery shows a ton of strength, courage, and personal growth ( & many other valuable qualities), it is generally a good idea to find something else to write about, for the sole reason that admissions officers might be biased/ not quite understand mental illness.

It would be better to dig within yourself and find another monumental event. I found it easier to truly elaborate on one small topic rather than trying to encompass a complex and intricate ED story into roughly 500-700 words. Finding another topic worked for me.

Just as ED recovery showed you, you ARE more than a recovered eating-disordered person. Elaborate on one of the non-ED aspects, which still may be a challenge && require deep reflection, but you can do it.

You recovered from an eating disorder, certainly, writing an essay will be a far easier challenge----no comparison.