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Write your essay first, then seek critiques.

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Why would you write about a huge flaw you have?

Write something that makes you look awesome not crazy.

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Desert Fox wrote:Why would you write about a huge flaw you have?

Write something that makes you look awesome not crazy.

No need to be insensitive. The OP has obviously overcome it to an extent and can write about that. And if you have an interest in mental health law or something related, you can always spin it into a PS--maybe.

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Having been on the screening end of personal statements while I was in graduate school I would say that writing about a mental disorder doesn't always set you apart in a positive way. Unfortunately they can send a red flag that you are not mentally prepared to handle the stress associated with graduate school. I wish the world was at a place where we view mental and physical disorders the same but it just really is not there yet. This is just my opinion and without reading your ps it may not be valid.

RedShift wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:Why would you write about a huge flaw you have?

Write something that makes you look awesome not crazy.

Haha the idea is that flaw has been beaten down! But this is the biggest apprehension I have. Thanks for the input.

RedShift wrote: The worst part is, I really didn't have a life before I sought treatment which was only this past summer. My life is infinitely better since then.

I do not believe that you have "beaten down" a disorder you just started getting help for last summer. I suspect I wouldn't be the only one who would feel that way. Sorry if it's harsh, but it's something to consider.

Many schools have liability concerns after Virginia Tech & other campus tragedies, so I agree with apaint's post above that essays focusing on mental disorders raise red flags whether warranted or not. Concerns also arise about the possibility of an individual harming himself or herself.

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It might be an incredible essay, but ineffective for its intended purpose. Save it for a creative writing class or a personal diary.

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Agree.

P.S. Colleges & universities are very concerned about those disorders due to potential suicidal or other risks. Rather than treating, college students are sent to the university mental health center & required to leave campus for a semester. Bipolar is viewed with extreme caution.

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Something like this can be an extremely effective personal statement, but you're going to have to put in a lot more work on it than the average essay. There are plenty of ways to talk about a mental illness without raising red flags.

That being said, it can also go terribly, terribly wrong.

I would definitely recommend trying your hand at it and posting it up here (if it's not too personal) for critiques. While the community here might read it and dismiss it right away, there's also a chance that you could write something especially moving. Especially as BDD isn't a disorder associated with violence (unless it leads to steroid abuse, but that's a different conversation).

As far as people claiming others were forced out of school after a mental illness diagnosis, that may very well be true. However, I also know many people at law school who were diagnosed with a mental illness and received great treatment while still going to classes (including bipolar disorder).

To the above poster: Colleges & universities requiring those with certain mental illnesses to leave for a semester is well documented & was heavily publicized two years or so ago. Try a little research before offering such careless advice based on personal anecdotes.

OP: It can be done successfully, but it has to be crafted carefully. Hopefully you have other aspects of your life that can be shared in a compelling manner. Good luck !

I would avoid it.

I personally wrote about having a disorder, and showed how I overcame it, and how it helped, rather than hindered my personal development. It is not like you are writing about having schizophrenia or something. I think it is a way to show that you can overcome adversity. This is something, that in my opinion, seems to demonstrate strong character traits. My experience has been to focus more on positives than negative though. So if your essay dwells too much on negatives, it may result in a negative essay overall when read by an adcom.

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I'd say remember the "fitness" part of character and fitness. It isn't just schools' liability concerns, they also might ding you because you have a potential mental health issue. As someone previously stated, battling it last summer isn't very long ago to solidify in Adcomms' minds that you won't have a future problem. Not trying to be mean, but honest. I had a "mental health issue" that I had to disclose for another reason, but four years had passed and a track record that was quite verifiable was there in my favor.

pixytree wrote:

Desert Fox wrote:Why would you write about a huge flaw you have?

Write something that makes you look awesome not crazy.

No need to be insensitive. The OP has obviously overcome it to an extent and can write about that. And if you have an interest in mental health law or something related, you can always spin it into a PS--maybe.

I suggest you look at what Anna Ivey has to say on the subject. She is quite clear that one should not unnecessarily indicate in any way whatsoever that one may have a disorder that could even remotely affect academic performance.

I cannot understand why you would suggest that the OP take such a huge risk. It could raise a major red flag.

Law Schools want socially adjusted students.