I’m trying to start my essay and want to write about having T1D ( type one diabetes). I want to write about the struggles I’ve experienced physically and mentally and how its taken a toll on my life to push myself more to get where i want to. Any suggestions or ideas?
Avoid any “poor me” type of sentiment and emphasize how you have become stronger, more focused, or whatever positive attribute(s) you want to highlight as a result of living with T1 diabetes.
Keep in mind that the college essay is not a soul-baring exercise – it should be used to give admission officers a reason to want you on campus.
Start with an outline or draft and see how it goes. CC does offer volunteers to review your essay if you like.
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I agree with everything happy1 said. D25 has type 1 as well, and she did not write her essay about it. Instead, she included one or two sentences about it in the additional info on the Common App focusing on how she grew from the experience. Your school counselor could also include a reference to your resilience and responsibility in managing type 1 in his/her letter (I’d mention this in your brag sheet to him or her). Good luck!
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My kid was diagnosed at age 4 (before the technology that is so helpful today). She did not write an essay about it. She also wrote a few lines in the additional info section. Basically that she folded her clothes carefully in the hospital, hoping if she was a good girl that the diabetes would go away.
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@ Jaimyvill09
Be aware that in our experience even ICU doctors don’t know much about type 1 diabetes. So if you write an essay about it, admissions folks reading might not understand! And explaining can be pretty laborious.
I hope you are on a pump and CGM and using the technology to its fullest potential. T1D is still very difficult but the technology available is so helpful.
Remember that the point of the essay is to give your application a human face and to make the reader think “This is someone that would be a great addition to our campus.” An essay about struggles is rarely that.
An essay about how this made you responsible for yourself, connected you to others with whom this is the only thing you share, made you aware that what everyone else is doing isn’t okay for you, – could be a positive direction to take this topic.
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I don’t think you should make T1 diabetes the focus of your essay. I would tuck it in your back pocket as something that you live with, something you have successfully navigated……but not something that defines you on a day-to-day basis.
I would focus on the positives, what you learned about yourself, what you achieved etc…despite diabetes.
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I think the essay topic can work well for you. Admissions will admire how you overcame the struggle. Good luck.
@michaelcollege type 1 requires 24/7 vigilance forever. Not sure that struggle is ever “overcome.” A person can certainly adjust to this reality over time.
Again, admissions folks may not understand type 1 diabetes and explaining it can make for a tedious essay. I suppose it could just be described as an autoimmune attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas and accounts for 5% of diabetes cases.
Many of our kids work hard not to make the disease their identity. Hence the term “paople with diabetes” versus “diabetics.” I think the answer to the OP’s question really depends on how it is written.
A student with T1D will require accommodations at college through the Office of Disabilities or Office of Accessibility or whatever it is called.
Thanks @compmom. Overcoming a struggle does not neccesarily mean solving a problem, as I know you know. I have read a few of these in my day. Some have been quite good.
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Some are quite good and some are quite dreadful. Every student is convinced that theirs is the former.
I use to think if students stick with safe topics, their essays would most definitely be reasonable. Unfortunately, % of strong quality essays seem to be similar regardless of topic. My new advice is to just go for it. You never hit the top end by being safe anyway. Obviously, nothing offensive.
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@Jaimyvill09 sent you a private message (upper right, envelope)