What do you think? Admitting mental illness in graduate school essay

Should I include a short statement about having a (mental) illness in my entrance essay for graduate school? I might add it as an addendum. It would explain some poor grades in my first 2 undergraduate semesters (I later did much better) as well as some gaps in my work resume.

I love the idea of including personal issues in one's writing. However, to come right out and write about your mental illness in vivid detail might not be such a good idea. Is there a way you can write about it in more subtle terms? Not only will this protect your privacy, it gives added interest to your essay because it keeps the reader curious as to what you're really talking about.

Hope this helps xx

I'm not so sure about it either......Do you have a therapist, school counselor, or someone else like this type of person you can talk to about it and maybe suggest how, if so, you might mention it?

Yeah I struggled with this question and did some research online and irl about it (including counselors, my psychiatrist..) General concensus seemed to be that you should feel free to mention it if it naturally comes out (explanation of bad grades is important after all) but you should not make your mental illness a major/main point or 'push' it too much to the point where it begins to seem more like an excuse or boast rather than a hardship. However, each situation varies so much, it is really hard to draw a specific line. For my college essay, I included my problems but only in very vague terms. It's also helpful if you try writing it out and then show it to people, asking if it works, because sometimes you can't tell if it will work or not until you read it. Hope I helped and good luck!

I think it might make it worse actually... wrongly worded it may sound of you are using it as excuse.

Generally, grad school isn't that hard to get into unless you are talking about a very space-limited program. (For instance, my neice who went into an audiology master's/doctoral program limited to about eight students.) Unless you are in that kind of a competitive application pool, I'd leave it out of the equation. Even then, it might work against you if it appears you might not be able to fulfill the program due to your illness or that you are using it as an excuse. So much will depend on who is actually reading that letter, and unfortunately, not everyone is terribly enlightened.

Thanks so much everyone. I found all of your thoughts and opinions very helpful. I am still debating whether I will put it in or leave it out. If I put it in, I may just add no more than 3 sentences as an addendum. I definitely don't want to dwell on it. On the other hand it's certainly a part of who I am.
Thanks again.

As being in graduate school now. I would NOT include that in your illness in your essay. There is so much stigma against individuals with mental illness, that I would keep that part out. If you feel a need to mention it I would limit it to saying you were having health issues (true). I would not mention that it was mental illness, and they are not allowed to ask. But overall, I would not put it in.

I've thought about this too and decided: No.
Even though my illness did play some part in preventing me from having a pretty transcript, I rather take responsibility by saying "I messed up because I didn't know better" instead of "I messed up because I have a mental illness."

And I agree with googley, if you must, it's better to say "health issues" rather than mental illness.

its good in a way because it could add feeling and passion to your essay...however, if you over-do it or under-do it, it could go badly so make sure ur careful about how far you go

I recently debated this question and decided not to include my dx as part of my essay. During the panel interview, I did mention that I was at a fork in my life which gave me an opportunity to pause for reflection and make a change in careers. When asked about this fork, I briefly explained that "lived experiences" was part of it. I was applying for Rehabilitation Counseling, so by using that phrase I think it was understood that it sorrounded a mental health issue.

I decided that it was best to leave my body of experience, school, and work hold up on its own merits for better or worse.

By the way I start classes in January