Suicide notes

Applying to College
1

I’m sorry…someone had to ask.

I don’t think that notes threatening suicide-if-you-don’t-accept-me (written in blood) are all that infrequent. But how do colleges generally react? Have there been any publicized incidences in recent years?

The way I see it, colleges can react in one of three ways.

  1. Take it to heart and accept the student for fear of being the “cause” of someone’s death. Just in case it gets out, they don’t want to receive the blame for not accepting the kid. Ideally, though, they’d rather not let anyone know, so it’s all hushed up and other people don’t try the same thing.
  2. Immediately throw the student’s file in the garbage bin - note implies low self-esteem and much-needed therapy. They don’t want someone like this at their school.
  3. Disregard it and continue reviewing the file as if it never happened.

Which is it? Or am I wrong - colleges rarely get these notes? Even if it doesn’t happen often, they still probably have some general course of action in case it does…

BTW - not thinking of doing it, I’m just curious because after reading certain posts on this board, some people come across as incredibly desperate… I mean, I’m desperate too, but there really is a fine line.

2

<p>I would say it’s much rarer than you think and if it did happen then number 2 would occur in a heartbeat.</p>

3

<p>Most likely #2… or they’d report it to a psychiatrist or something but then again I don’t think they are allowed to disclose your personal information…</p>

4

<p>Since they already have a relationship with the high school counselor, I imagine that he/she would be the first person the college would contact.</p>

5

<p>I really can’t imagine that it happens as frequently as you make it sound. And I definitely don’t think they want someone like that at their school.</p>

6

<p>Yeah it probably doesn’t happen that often. But more often than “no one would be crazy enough to do that” when I joke about it with my friends.</p>

<p>I like your point, lindsey. Counselors are the perfect people to inform.</p>

7

<p>there goes my plan. pssst!</p>

8

<p>even mentioning you’ve had mental issues in the past can ruin your chances at the elite. #2 without a doubt.</p>

9

<p>Threatening to kill yourself will not impress them. Actually killing yourself will not impress them either.</p>

<p>If you do that, the college will likely call your high school and tell them about it, which will result in your probable arrest and suspension from school while you undergo psych tests at your friendly neighborhood mental hospital.</p>

10

<p>You’re taking too much of your user name, snuff. Personally, if I were an adcomm, I would send back the applicant a letter with “rejected” written in huge letters in blood. Also, below it would be : Me = 1, You = 0</p>

11

<p>lol…tenacious!</p>