Is this an iffy topic to write about for my common app personal statement?

sophie9999
Tue, 09 Aug 2016 05:55:30 +0000

I’m sorry you had to experience this.

Is this an iffy thing to write about?

I think it could make a great topic for your essay as long as you focus on you and not your brother or your dad. Make sure the bulk of your essay discusses how the experience has affected you and how it continues to shape your outlook on life (and your post certainly sounds like you plan to do this already).

Is it worth mentioning that my brother has abused me and the entire situation has resulted in me having general anxiety and panic attacks or no?

The general advice of posters on this website is that you shouldn’t mention mental illness because colleges don’t want to accept students who are considered “at risk.” I’m not sure how true this advice is, but it is something to consider. Although the stigma surround mental illness sucks, you unfortunately do need to show colleges that you are ready for the stress/rigor of college. Again, I’m not sure how true this all is, but it does seem like you could craft a great essay without mentioning the resulting mental illness of your family’s situation.

Good luck!