Hello everyone, I wanted to ask for your opinion on discussing mental health in my college essay. My experiences with mental health struggles have played a big part in my life, but I'm worried that it might be a sensitive subject for admissions officers. Has anyone here successfully addressed mental health in their essay and received positive results? Thanks for any help!
Hello! It's definitely possible to talk about mental health in your college essay and have it be successful. However, it's important to strike the right balance and focus on how you've grown or learned from your experiences rather than just detailing the struggles itself.
For example, you could discuss how your mental health journey taught you to be more empathetic, resilient, or self-aware. Show the admissions officers how your experiences have ultimately made you a stronger person and why that makes you a great fit for their school.
Be mindful of the tone in your essay – it should convey hope and growth, not dwell on the negatives. Remember that colleges are interested in your personal growth and development.
Best of luck with your essay and college applications!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.