Should I write my college essay about my eating disorder?

Choosing to write about an eating disorder for your college essay is a deeply personal decision, and it can impact readers in different ways depending on how you approach the topic. Admissions officers do appreciate honesty and vulnerability, but the key is how you tell your story and what you ultimately want them to learn about you.

It’s true that mental health topics, including eating disorders, can raise concerns for some admissions readers, especially if the essay focuses more on the difficulties rather than your recovery and personal growth. That doesn’t mean these topics are ‘off-limits,’ but you need to approach them thoughtfully.

If you decide to write about your eating disorder, it’s important to:

- Show a journey, not just the struggle. Focus on what you learned, how you changed, and the concrete steps you took toward recovery. Admissions officers don’t expect perfection, but they do want to see resilience, maturity, and self-awareness.

- Avoid making your essay only about the eating disorder itself. Instead, use it as a lens to highlight strengths you developed: perseverance, empathy for others, or a new worldview. For example, maybe after seeking help, you started a support group at your school, changed your relationship with food and self-image, or became passionate about mental health advocacy.

- Demonstrate that you’re in a stable place now. Colleges want to ensure students have the emotional resources to handle the challenges ahead. You can briefly discuss past struggle, but the majority of your essay should convey hope, maturity, and readiness for college life. For instance, instead of ending with ongoing difficulties, describe the support systems you’ve built or positive changes you’ve made.

I’ve seen students write strong, moving essays about eating disorders, but these essays stand out because they ultimately center on the writer’s growth, not their illness. One applicant wrote about the moment she realized she needed help, the vulnerability it took to ask for it, and how the experience led her to mentor younger students. This narrative focused more on her courage, insight, and desire to give back than the illness itself.

If you’re unsure, you could show a draft to a trusted mentor or counselor—they can help gauge whether your message is coming across the way you want. Ultimately, the most powerful college essays are those that feel genuine to you and reveal something important about your character.

If you decide not to make this your main topic, you could always address it briefly in the Additional Information section to give context for certain aspects of your application (like a dip in grades). Either way, your well-being comes first. Take care of yourself throughout this process!