<p>In one of those ‘Essays that Worked’ books, one Adcom said that the service trip was the most overused topic.</p>
<p>But about writing about eating disorder, I’d recommend not doing it. Although it may be the hardest thing you had to overcome, I don’t think it is the most important thing for admissions to know about you for your college admissions purposes. You are spending valuable time where you could be highlighting your desirable qualities and your current self. I wonder if they would think twice if you feel it is so central to your life that you are really recovered enough to write off the risk. Also, I think the topic is a groaner. Most importantly, I would not write about anything you don’t feel comfortable talking to your GC about. That right there is a huge red flag that a topic is inappropriate.</p>
<p>However you do at least have some amount of time passed where you at least can have some perspective and shown strength in your grades. Your take in #1 is good. One of those books did have a great essay on ED, and the student was admitted to all the selective LAC’s he applied to. Note that the essay is better written than the vast majority, there has been a great deal of time passed, he was valedictorian of his class.
[Morning</a> Edition - College Essays](<a href=“http://www.npr.org/programs/morning/features/2001/mar/010326.clayton_kennedy.html]Morning”>Morning Edition - College Essays)</p>
<p>Note that there is a separate College Essay forum and this topic has come up many times, search for past threads.</p>