Should I Disclose In Personal Statement For Uni?

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

I'm not sure if this should be in a different thread so forgive me if it's in the wrong place.

I'm applying to an access course to university and I am really unsure if I should disclose in my personal statement that I have PTSD.

Bit of background, my trauma happened when I was 16 and (obviously) my grades were effected. I didn't finish high school and have had a few failed attempts at college. I'm not working now because of my mental health and the course is only part time over 1/2 years (so hopefully I can cope with it). I am seeing a psychologist and hopefully now I can begin the healing process. Should I disclose? Maybe I could be more vague and just say "mental illness". They say you have preference to the course if you have a reason why your grades don't match expectations.

I really have no idea I don't really want to be discriminated against and I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me. Although it does explain why my grades sucked and why I haven't studied at a higher level and why I'm not working.

Any advice would be great. Xx

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Can you explain a bit more about why you feel you need to disclose? What it the statement for? Application to be accepted? Paperwork for accommodations?

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

I will need to disclose eventually because I will need some support and understanding. It's a personal statement basically it's to sell yourself let them know why I should be granted access to the course.

I don't know if I feel I should disclose in the personal statement. It just means I can explain why my grades were not what was expected and why I'm not working. I dunno maybe it's best to not tell unless they ask.

 

[Deleted member 26314]

I am planning, when I eventually get to University, to say my reasons for not achieving the best grades I could (which will include the PTSD symptoms I experience plus other things). I think, because it's your personal statement, you should disclose that you suffer from PTSD and explain why this hindered your grades, but then go on to say that you are recovering, are working hard to progress and achieve the things you want to. Turn it around, if you do disclose this your personal statement, at points, will most likely look a bit gloomy when the University admissions people are reading it, so you need to turn it around and say that you're healing and that you are motivated and willing to work the extra mile to do the best you can do.

Universities wont discriminate against mental health, though if the grades don't meet expectations, just because a mental health illness hindered your grades, doesn't mean they will accept you so you still need to sell yourself and make yourself look good by saying you're recovering, seeking help or whatever, etc. And in your interview, if it is brought up (which I think it would only be to clarify what kind of support you are hoping for), make sure you say that you wont let it hinder your progress at the University, to the best of your ability anyway.

On University applications don't they have a section on health? I thought on most forms (mine to college anyway) had a section where you could disclose any learning disabilities or mental health issues in order to get the support. For college, I ticked the box that said mental health issues, wrote down what it was in the 'Notes' section.

Good luck! :)

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Why not start at a community college instead of a full university? Community colleges don't ask a lot of questions and honestly they give you more of a chance to prove yourself.

Maybe community colleges are a US thing?

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

Yeah I don't think there are community colleges in the UK. I thought about open university distance learning. But I do much better in a class room situation. it's only two classes a week or four if you do it in 1 year instead of two.

College is an option but again because of my grades I would be limited to what I can study.

 

[Deleted member 26314]

Maybe go to a college, don't send an application form or anything, arrange a meeting and discuss your opportunities. Have a few subjects in mind for what you'd like to study (ignoring the required grades) and speak to them about it.

There was a girl I knew who (no mental health issues so she didn't have any explanation for her poor grades) but went to the college, spoke to them and arranged to do 3 subjects (instead of the usual 4). The college asked her to write an essay on a subject she liked (since she wanted to do english literature) and hand it in before August or something. Well, anyway, she got in and got quite good grades and has now gone to university.

What I'm saying is that maybe if you speak to your college, talk to them about your PTSD and explain your grades, then ask if there is anything you can do which will enable you to do the subjects you want to. They're human beings and they will listen to you, and hopefully your college will understand that everyone has their own situations and backgrounds. Going to college and getting qualifications from there will make it a lot easier when it comes to University. The universities will be able to see that you're doing what you can to prove you want to progress and such.

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

@Katarina19 that's a good idea. :)

 

[Deleted member 26314]

Good luck whatever you do. :)

 

[billie]

I have disclosed all relevant info ie. psychiatrist, psychologist, GP, diagnosis to gain extra support (tutoring, extensions, extra time and regular breaks during exams). It has helped immensely as I could not remain in uni without disclosing my situation. I would say that the staff that are involved are very professional and discrete. Hope this helps.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I would disclose your PTSD status in your personal statement. Otherwise you will be lumped in with every other slacker who doesn't give a damn about school and would rather party 24/7 instead of actually open a textbook. That is, you have a reason for your academic struggles and this will (should) be taken into account, especially if you can show improvement over time.

I think you should visit every school you plan on applying to and meet with an admissions counselor to discuss your situation. A little bit of initiative will go a long way. Good luck!

 

[InsideAWord]

Speaking as a senior in college and a student who worked in the college of admissions for a semester: you don't need to disclose that you have PTSD, and don't disclose that you have PTSD as a reason for why you didn't get the best grades.

And now I'll explain why: The personal statements are rarely read, and they're mostly read if the student is teetering between accepted, rejected, or deferred.

Also, the personal statements are not measured for content, necessarily. They're looking at it to measure your writing style. Furthermore, if they do bother to read the content, they want to see concrete examples that you've taken on leadership roles, fulfilled community service hours, held down a job and excelled at your job in high school, etc. Also, the people who read your personal statements are usually grad students with full-time jobs in the admissions department or simply full-time office employees. These aren't the professors or the Dean of your college. I've been in the same room as the people reading student's personal statements, and I remember vividly someone saying, "Wow, I feel really bad for this kid. He wrote about all the things that happened to him in his life, but he just doesn't have the requirements to attend the university." So, yeah, that happened. And I attend a public state university with a reputation for diversity and helping the disadvantaged. They're not looking for "excuses" as to why you didn't do well, they want to see how you redeemed yourself in other ways besides academics, such as how you excelled in extra curricular or community activities.

I'm just offering advice on this since I have experience with writing my own personal statements and actually working in the admissions department part-time when I was a freshman.

EDIT: If you're trying to use your PTSD as a way to stand out, then apply for Disability accommodations. Believe it or not, it counts as a plus for you if you apply for Disability accommodations since they're obligated to take particular disabilities into account -- as long as they're on paper. If you're going to disclose any possible disability that you might have, you have to prove that it is legitimate.