Can I milk my disabilities for admission?

xctrack09mk
Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:45:29 +0000

I have type 1 diabetes and I applied to Yale this year. My common app essay was about being diagnosed/living with diabetes…but not how much it sucks. I wrote about how I have overcome my problem to become a varsity athlete, how it has sparked my interest in biology and medicine, and how, in general, it has taught me to make the most of bad situations. I didn’t want to write about it at all, because I wanted to get in solely on merit, but my parents convinced me that would be a lost opportunity. So is it a bad idea to write about your disability? Not necessarily. Just avoid the sob story approach; inject a little humor, some modesty, and a few life lessons and you’re set!