I wrote a strong essay in response to the Common App prompt that asks “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”
I wrote about how music helped me through depression and I essentially meant for music to be the part of my identity that would complete my application. The essay doesn’t explicitly state “music completes my identity/application” but I wrote about how it became so important to me. It helped me deal with depression. However, I am aware that it may just raise red flags for admissions officers in terms of being a possible liability if I ended up at their school. How do I write about how music became such a huge part of my identity without mentioning depression?
I think its a tough call. If there are other parts of your application that are huge flags (grades drop, etc) then they will dig deeper. But just be truthful and since music is such a large part of your life, I would include it.
I talked about my depression in 7th & 10th grade but the only drop was from straight As to two Bs in second semester 10th grade. In 11th, I got one B 2nd semester but it’s implied in my essay that I used music to cope so the one B is assumed to be unrelated to depression. If I have another idea for another essay that I may not be as passionate about and may not create as strong of an essay as the music one, should I just stick with that one and not take the risk the music essay brings?
If music helped you through depression, you’re essentially writing about a passion that helped you overcome troubles. I don’t think admissions will consider you negatively as a “liability” for this. If this what you are passionate about, then write about it. Try to focus on your passion and how you were able to overcome your depression rather than on your depression itself, but ultimately just be sincere. The goal of the essay is to learn about you as an individual, so try not to get too caught up in what they want to hear. Music is what is most important to you, so write about it. Good luck!
I can’t see how highlighting past issues with depression strengthens your application, how it “gives them a reason to say yes”-- and that’s the point of the essay.
Write about how music is part of your life, how it makes you complete and a more fulfilled person.
But I wouldn’t mention the depression. Why give them a reason to worry about your mental health??