Experts on Writing About Mental Health All counselors interviewed for this piece agreed that students’ college essays should not be about their struggles with mental health.
Can you talk about addiction in a college essay?
Likewise, if a story of addiction and recovery is an essential part of your past, it may be a worthy topic. However, students should never mention casual use of drugs or alcohol. The same goes for any illegal acts. It sounds obvious enough, but you’d be surprised!
How do you write a college essay about overcoming obstacles?
- Stay away from common topics.
- Identify an obstacle that highlights qualities you want to emphasize.
- Steer clear of common paragraph structures.
- Focus on internal aspects.
- Emphasize the impact, not the event.
Can college essays be depressed?
Long story short: yes, you may write about Depression in your college admissions. However, there are certain limits that must be drawn. There are also instances when writing about your Depression may actually increase your chances of acceptance. Though, you need to write your essays correctly for this to work.
What should I not write about in my college essay?
- Controversial Topics. Controversial topics, such as current political hot buttons, should be avoided at all costs.
- Highly Personal Topics.
- Personal Achievements and Accomplishments.
- Most Important Place or a Role Model.
- Creative Writing.
- Athletic Topics.
- Humorous Topics or Jokes.
- Tragic Events.
Is it okay to cuss in a college essay?
Avoid swearing in a college essay, since admissions officers’ opinions of profanity will vary. In some cases, it might be okay to use a vulgar word, such as in dialogue or quotes that make an important point in your essay. However, it’s safest to try to make the same point without swearing.
Should you mention mental health issues in personal statement?
You can absolutely tell the admissions committee about your mental health issue or concerns if you want to, but with the exception of some specific circumstances, you do not have to. Sometimes a mental health issue or concern will come up in your personal statement.
What are the best college essay topics?
- Prompt #1: Share your story.
- Prompt #2: Learning from obstacles.
- Prompt #3: Challenging a belief.
- Prompt #4: Solving a problem.
- Prompt #5: Personal growth.
- Prompt #6: What captivates you?
- Prompt #7: Topic of your choice.
- Describe a person you admire.
How do you write a sad college essay?
- Be open and honest. When writing about tragic events, some people feel the need to stray away from the truth for many reasons.
- Use the right language.
- Connect it to the prompt.
- Focus on yourself.
- Be respectful.
How do I start my college essay?
Start with an attention grabber. The very first sentence of your essay should be the “hook” or “grabber.” This sentence “hooks” readers or “grabs” their attention, making them want to read more. This first sentence should provide rich details, engage a reader’s curiosity, or otherwise stand out from the rest.
How long should a college essay be?
The primary essay for your college application, often called a personal statement, is typically around 400-600 words. The Common App personal statement — which is used as the primary application essay by more than 800 colleges — must be 250-650 words.
How does an essay start?
Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order: An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention. Relevant background information that the reader needs to know. A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.
Should you talk about trauma in a college essay?
April 8, 2019. Traumatic or otherwise difficult experiences do NOT have to be off the table for your college application essays. They are legitimate subjects (depending on the essay prompt, of course; it has to make sense as a response to the particular question).
Should you talk about ADHD in college essay?
Declare Your Teen’s ADHD “Students should describe, in their application essay or letter to the admissions office, how they overcame their academic woes and achieved better grades, once their ADHD was properly treated,” Quinn says.
Should you write about anxiety in a college essay?
sorry, but do not recommend that topic. depression and anxiety are common health conditions (not to make light of your health condition, but super common), and it could make you seem fragile and/or self absorbed and not mature if you pick that topic.
Do colleges really read essays?
Yes, every college essay is read if the college has asked for it (and often even if they did not ask for it). The number of readers depends on the college’s review process.
What should you not write in an application essay?
- Never rehash your academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
- Never write about a “topic”
- Never start with a preamble.
- Never end with a “happily ever after” conclusion.
- Never pontificate.
- Never retreat into your thoughts.
Do college essays matter?
While students may ask themselves, “How important are college essays?” the answer is simple: important enough for college admissions that they should invest the time and effort to do their best and make the topic their own – even if it’s common. Searching for a college? Get our complete rankings of Best Colleges.
Can colleges see Instagram messages?
Yes, colleges can look at the public version of your social media accounts, but they don’t have some sort of secret, government-like power to access your private information. It’s much more likely that your social media behavior would only be brought to their attention if it causes a stir.
Can you write about religion in a college essay?
The short answer is this: it’s okay to discuss religion in your essay as long as the take-away (or values) promoted in the essay are universal.
How do you quote a swear word in an essay?
You can either use the first word of the swear word followed by several dashes, such as d—, or you can insert a placeholder in parenthesis. (Expletive), (vulgarity) or (obscenity) would all be appropriate.
Is it okay to talk about depression in a personal statement?
DO NOT MENTION DEPRESSION IN YOUR PS. I think that most of us understand what you are saying, but that when it comes to AdCom, they are looking for a very specific kind of person and this kind of thing can either go for you or against you. It is best to completely leave out any mention of depression.
Can colleges discriminate based on mental health?
Students with mental health disabilities are protected by Federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Should I write about OCD in my college essay?
Your essay should lay out your difficulties with OCD, but then also show how you’ve learned to manage it and become a highly effective person. It could then also move on to you deciding to study medicinal chemistry.
What should I not write about in my college essay 2021?
- A Litany of Your Academic and/or Extracurricular Achievements.
- Your Hero.
- Experimental or Creative Writing.
- A Sports-Related Challenge or Success.
- Service Trips.
- Tragedy.
- Controversial or Polarizing Subjects.