<p>i have OCD and I mentioned it in many of my supplementary essays/short answers. It is one of the reasons I want to become a psychiatrist. However, I heard from some people that mentioning that is very risky and could hurt me, is this true? or is it the opposite?</p>
<p>Konck-knock from the post upstairs…I’m wondering the same thing!!</p>
<p>It’s generally not advisable to mention psych. disorders. I believe, however, that the main concern with accepting students with them is the greater statistical likelihood of suicide. OCD alone (ie, not coupled with depression) does not have much of a correlation with increased suicide risk, so mentioning it might not be a problem.</p>
<p>For some reason, I would think it might. </p>
<p>…but definitely not the opposite. I couldn’t imagine circumstances in which that would help you.</p>
<p>Chickendinner, you have ocd as well?</p>
<p>hmm…well, i had to mention it because it is one of the reasons i want to study psych…how do you think colleges will view it?</p>
<p>I mean, I have no clue. It was just a hunch. Hopefully someone who knows more will answer :P</p>
<p>i think it is risky and in most circumstances, if not approached correctly, would hurt you… I don’t think it could help very much even if you wrote a really good essay</p>
<p>i can’t imagine how it would hurt u. unless it’s so crippling that u would be requesting all sorts of special help/assistance from the school [not even sure if such a thing exists, but u know].</p>
<p>Some amount of OCD is helpful in careers like medicine. If your essay tells how you have successfully controlled your OCD- through medication or cognitive therapy, you could be OK.</p>
<p>hmm…i understand where some of you are coming from; however, don’t colleges say that they don’t discriminate? OCD is sort of a minor disability.
I did mention in my essay that i went to a psychiatrist. And I mentioned that I want to help people like myself who’ve suffered from such disorders.</p>
<p>I think the relevant question for the admissions committee will still be whether you are capable of doing the academic work and have something to contribute to the school, whether or not you have a psychological disorder. If you do have one, your transcript, scores, and recommendations will demonstrate whether you can function in the college community.</p>
<p>From the college’s point of view is if your disorder would pose liability on them that they are not willing to accept - suicide, hurting other students. Another thing they are concerned about is if they could provide you with the service you would need for your disorder. Some schools are more equipped than others. It is important for you and your doctor to determine what type of support you’ll need and if a school is capable of providing it. It goes beyond whether a school would accept you or not. If you feel you need minimum support and you have done very well in school, then I would opt to leave it out. If you haven’t done as well in school and would like to use your disorder as an excuse, then I would make sure adcoms understand your disorder would not cause any disruption to the school (if that’s the case).</p>
<p>I should also probably mention that i attended summer programs at Penn and Harvard, achieved A’s in the classes and have a rec from my penn professor. i guess that shows i can function in a college community</p>
<p>How did you address it in your essays? If you mentioned that you have reached out to resources (ie psychiatrists) to help with guidance, management and redirection of symptoms, and have found this extremely helpful in using the OCD in positive ways and want to “pay it forward” (as it were) , then this can be ok. Agreed that in some cases, being detail-oriented is a good thing. It depends on the degree, and at what price. If you just check locks or count ceiling tiles or sing jingles in your head at times, this is not likely to interfere with your success in school. If however, it came across a a significant issue that interferes with your ability to get things done successfully, etc, that can be a detriment. But, no matter if your applications are already submitted-- don’t worry/obsess over it ;)</p>