S HOULD YOUR STUDENTS WRITE ABOUT DEPRESSION IN A COLLEGE ESSAY ? Susan Knoppow Wow Writing Workshop, Michigan # N A C A C 1 8
H OT T OPICS • Depression • Anxiety • Learning challenges • Family hardship • Abuse • Religion • Politics Session Resources: Text NACAC18 to 555-888 2 # N A C A C 1 8
I S A T OPIC A PPROPRIATE ? • Ask Why • Prep for Input • Confirm Change • Consider Audience Session Resources: Text NACAC18 to 555-888 3 # N A C A C 1 8
A SK W HY ? • Does the student know why they have chosen this topic? • If it’s simply because it’s “the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced” or “the scariest moment of my life,” step back and reassess. • A college essay should demonstrate something meaningful about a student. • If the story illustrates positive characteristics, it could work. Family issues, divorce, abuse, incarceration 4 # N A C A C 1 8
P REP FOR I NPUT • Can the student accept editorial comments on the essay? • If an experience is too raw (or if the student is in the middle of it), reflection may be nearly impossible. • We tell students, “That is clearly an important experience in your life, and I encourage you to write about it. However, it sounds like you’re not ready to reflect on it in a personal statement yet. Eventually you’ll have that distance, but it’s too soon.” Depression, anxiety, friend’s suicide attempt 5 # N A C A C 1 8
C ONFIRM C HANGE • If the student learned something, have they had a chance to put that learning into practice yet? • Many students gain insight into their character during challenging moments (illness, death of a family member, addiction, etc.) • Probe by saying, “Tell me about a time when you behaved differently after that experience.” • If they can’t think of an example, the experience is too fresh for honest reflection. Acknowledge how significant it is, then move on. Substance abuse, eating disorders 6 # N A C A C 1 8
C ONSIDER A UDIENCE • If the student is applying to a school with a socially conservative or liberal mission, they should keep that in mind when choosing a topic. • Otherwise, any issue should be fair game, as long as the student is using the politically or socially sensitive topic to explore the characteristics they want to highlight in their application. • If the essay reads like a manifesto, the writer has missed the point. Politics, religion 7 # N A C A C 1 8
I S A T OPIC A PPROPRIATE ? • Ask Why • Prep for Input • Confirm Change • Consider Audience Session Resources: Text NACAC18 to 555-888 8 # N A C A C 1 8
S ESSION R ESOURCES • Slides • Student Activity: What Do You Want Readers to Know About You? • Recording: College Essay Pro Chat on Sensitive and Controversial Topics • Links to Wow’s Facebook and LinkedIn groups for professionals Session Resources: Text NACAC18 to 555-888 9 # N A C A C 1 8
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