Recently, I've noticed a concerning uptick in the number of students asking whether it's appropriate for them to write about mental health issues, most frequently ADD and/or anxiety, in their college applications. So the short answer:
don't do it
.
Can you talk about depression in a college essay?
Mental health is a huge part of life, and something that campus personnel should know about, but the essay is not necessarily the best place to disclose it.
It can be done, but unless your story is how you overcame your depression, it's going to send up red flags for admissions officers.
Can I talk about mental health in my Common App essay?
While
the Common App essay is not the place to talk about mental health issues
, students are provided enough space in the additional info. section to tell a story. There's a 650 word-limit, the same as the common app essay.
How do you explain mental health on a college application?
All expressed that if the mental health challenges have made an impact on your grades, involvement in class, attendance, or ability to participate in school activities, you should
provide a short, factual summary (no more than two paragraphs) for background purposes, always emphasizing your recovery after these
…
Can you 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 I write about my anxiety for my college essay?
College Transitions bottom line: If you are going to discuss your depression, anxiety, or other mental condition in your application
do so in a strategic manner for the purpose of illuminating otherwise unexplained inconsistencies in your academic record
.
Do colleges care about mental health?
Across the country,
colleges and universities are facing a huge increase in the number of students who need mental health care
, and many schools aren't prepared to handle the growing demand. A national survey of college students in 2020 found that nearly 40 percent experienced depression.
Do colleges look at mental illness?
Colleges aren't supposed to ask applicants whether they have a disability
. But many applicants share the information on their own. In some cases, it may relate to a student's high school record.
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.
What do colleges look for in an essay?
As part of the college application process, colleges ask prospective students for a personal essay in order to learn more about them. They want to see
context on each student's background, positive traits that the student could bring to campus, and examples of the student demonstrating those qualities
.
Can you make up a story for college essay?
Telling Your Story to Colleges
This is your chance to tell your story (or at least part of it).
The best way to tell your story is to write a personal, thoughtful essay about something that has meaning for you
. Be honest and genuine, and your unique qualities will shine through.
How do I write an anxious college essay?
- Keep the Faith; calm the anxiety. Accept that some anxiety is normal and trust yourself to write the first draft. …
- Trust the Process. We tell each Wow student: Trust Yourself. …
- Get Advice from Someone You Trust.
How long is common app essay 2021?
Strategy for Writing the 2021-2022 Common App Essays. Because the Common App essay is
650 words
long and has few formal directions, organizing a response might seem daunting. Fortunately, at CollegeVine, we've developed a straightforward approach to formulating strong, unique responses.
How long should I spend on my college essay?
Good essays are deeply personal and show how you think, solve problems, make decisions, and what you're passionate about. These essays can take anywhere from
20-30 hours
as you need to carefully choose a prompt, brainstorm ideas, organize your thoughts, draft, edit, re-draft, edit again, and so on.
Can colleges see Instagram messages?
Colleges can see posts on social media, such as Snapchat, Instagram, or TikTok, if the accounts are not set to private
. Up to 25% of college admissions officers check out applicants' social media presence.
How good do college essays have to be?
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.
What percentage of college students suffer from mental illness?
Mental health issues are increasingly prevalent among college students: Almost half of college students had a psychiatric disorder in the past year.
73%
of students experience some sort of mental health crisis during college. Almost 1/3 of college students report having felt so depressed that they had trouble …
What percent of college students suffer from depression?
Anxiety is the top presenting concern among college students (41.6 percent), followed by depression (
36.4 percent
) and relationship problems (35.8 percent).
Why do college students struggle with mental health?
What is causing the college student mental health crisis? There are multiple factors involved, including
pressure to succeed in academics, financial stress, uncertainty about which major or career path to choose, increased social media use, and less stigma around seeking help
.
