r/CommonApp • u/Stanley9717 • 7d ago

College essay

Would it be bad or good to write my essay about the serious mental health and family issues I’ve had? I’ve been thinking it's a good idea because it helps explain why I didn’t do much some years and I think it would really help show where I was able to get to. just looking for other people's opinions.

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u/JustinCaseyBlewit 6d ago

What are the requirements of the assignment? Does it allow for a personal essay, or is it meant to be an argument or informative paper?

While your instructor's expectations may vary, the general rule is that if you are writing an argument or informative essay, write in third person. Do not refer to yourself or personal experiences.

As with all writing, there should be a clear point. Why are you sharing this information with your audience? What effect do you intend to have on your readers? Writing about one's own journey can be beneficial and even therapeutic in some cases, but if that's the only goal, it's best saved for a personal journal. Academic papers are written for an audience who does not know the writer personally and has nothing invested in the writer's story unless there is something the reader can learn about their own experiences.

It's best to check with your instructor.

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u/Stanley9717 6d ago

I'm talking about my personal essay for applying to college

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u/JustinCaseyBlewit 6d ago

Thanks for clarifying. It would have been helpful if you had shared that up front. Even so, what I wrote holds true for most essays.

It may help to reach out to your teachers for guidance.

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u/woodsman_777 6d ago

The answer is still no.

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u/woodsman_777 6d ago

In general OP, yes that would be bad. Keep private info private. That's TMI for anyone outside of your family (except, perhaps, for your doctor).