So I’m starting to write my PA essay now, because I have been focusing on the other schools which I care more about getting into and that have an earlier due date. PA was never my top choice as I never really thought I could get in.
Anyways, for the “tell us your story” prompt, what are they looking for? I want to write about my eating disorder story, and how it played an integral part in shaping me and helping to understand who I am. Is this too touchy of a story, and does it make sense with the prompt? What did you guys write about?
I was planning on telling my story by writing of how my community has shaped me.
I ended up choosing the last essay option about overcoming failure instead.
do you think it would be okay to stick with my current topic?
In any essay, the AOs are looking to understand who you are from a more personal side. I found this topic to be a great way to show AOs the moments of my life that stand out the most and have shaped me, and discovering how they are all connected through a singular word that has defined my story and my goals (but I did NOT put the Webster’s definition at the beginning lol). In my opinion, your topic would be great, just make sure to focus on the ways your eating disorder shaped you, not the disorder itself. Make sure to think about how you think of yourself, and read the essay and think “is this how I want myself to be seen?”
As a fellow applicant, I can only give you advice from what I’ve seen on other CC threads and my personal opinion, so don’t only rely on my advice: rely on yourself. Make sure YOU believe in the essay, because that is what will matter most in determining if you are right for the school.
Because an eating disorder is a serious issue and boarding schools are on the lookout for it in their student bodies just as they look for other behaviors that negatively affect the health of their students, I’m not sure this is something you want to volunteer even if you believe this behavior is certain never to happen again. If you do tell the story, you’ve given the school something to consider that may or may not benefit you. If it were me, I’d highlight something else. Just my .02.
ETA: If the eating disorder is part of your medical history, and I don’t see how it wouldn’t be in your records, perhaps you should put some context around it.
This is a touchy subject. Any other parents want to weigh in?
Yes, I decided against that topic. Along with that you said, I realized that I don’t really have enough reflection on myself.
I wouldn’t support writing about that subject. There are indeed many kids at BS with eating disorders and this creates an issue for the school/roomates etc.
Agreed, that would be a red flag to a BS in my opinion. But @ChoatieMom do BS get your medical history?? That seems like a crazy violation of privacy.
@dogsmama1997 nowhere in my PA application did it ask for medical history. @ChoatieMom Do they find out medical history in some other way (parent statement, weird guidance counselor recommendation questions) that us applicants wouldn’t be aware of? Just curious.
Totally agree with @ChoatieMom - stay away from mental health or disability issues in essays. Because looking at population data, individuals with a given diagnosis are at increased risk of other diagnoses, let alone recurrence of the original diagnosis. For example, eating disorders are commonly associated with depression and anxiety. While these things are not uncommon and are a fact of life, there is no reason to reveal them in the admissions process. The American Disabilities Act (ADA) protects individuals from discrimination (including mental heath diagnoses) in employment situations and I believe would apply here, BUT it would be impossible to prove that discrimination was the reason the AO put your application to the bottom of the pile after reading about a mental health diagnosis.
The admissions committee has no idea of your medical history throughout the admissions process. That is protected information that has no bearing on your application (under ADA) and they could never get from your doctor or treating facility (under HIPAA).
AFTER you are admitted, I have no idea how one’s ongoing medical treatment for mental health diagnosis or learning disability is handled. That would make an interesting and very informative thread of its own. Those individuals require medication prescription and administration, as well as counseling and I’d be surprised if the school would not need to be involved in that process. But others would have to weigh in on their experience (though not here, as it is not applicable to the OP’s question).
No. The school only knows what you tell them. The history is covered by HIPAA.
@emmaxiang : My concern is about your health & future wellbeing.
If you had or have an eating disorder, was it caused by pressures related to school work ? If so, then you should be aware that you are applying to what many consider to be among the top prep boarding schools in the world. You will likely experience academic and, possibly, social anxieties & pressure.
While I do agree with all of the above posts, I think that it is most important for you & your parents & doctor to discuss a healthy method of dealing with academic & social challenges as well as with the challenges associated with change.
Daily exercise is one way to deal with pressure & anxieties. A healthy diet is also important. Some benefit from meditation or daily prayer.
While it is important to do your best, it is not important to be the best.
After you get admitted and ENROLLED, you provide required health forms, including a physical examination completed by a healthcare provider. The form includes current medications and previous medical history.
I didn’t mean to imply that the schools get your medical records. Of course, they don’t. I meant that if the condition was a medical diagnosis rather than a self diagnosis, it is something the school should eventually know about. How and when are the questions. As @GoatMama pointed out, you will undergo a physical exam and complete health forms and should provide the school physician with any pertinent medical information (after matriculation) that can help the school’s staff care for you properly. An eating disorder is not something to hide, and I think @Publisher makes a good point in #11 that, depending on the cause of your illness and, perhaps, how recent it was, you and your parents should be very aware of the pressures of most boarding school environments and look to avoid any related triggers.
It was not based on school work, but more a cultural and mental aspect. I am no longer suffering from it.
If you are recovering from an eating disorder, boarding school might not be the best place for you if you want to avoid a relapse. But that is for you to discuss with your parents and therapist.
I’ve already recovered.
Apologies, but new here and can’t figure that out. Can you please ask the mod to remove this entire thread? She got her question answered.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
That’s not an option per Terms of Service:
http://www.collegeconfidential.com/policies/terms-of-service/
@ChoatieMom I love how instead of saying 2 cents you said ‘0.02’. That just made my day for some reason