The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions cover image

The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

513: Navigating Mental Health Disclosures in the College Application: The Admission Officer Perspective with Christina Lopez

Jul 25, 2024
Christina Lopez, Dean of Enrollment Management at Barnard College, shares her 18 years of experience incollege admissions. She dives into why mental health disclosures are vital, emphasizing personal growth and authenticity in applications. Christina advises students on when and how to disclose their mental health challenges, while also exploring the healing power of writing. She highlights the importance of crafting authentic personal statements and encourages open discussions around mental health, ensuring students approach their applications with confidence.
51:22

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Students should engage in self-reflection to determine their comfort level before disclosing mental health challenges in applications.
  • Admissions officers prioritize resilience and personal growth, seeking authentic insights into students' journeys and identities during evaluations.

Deep dives

The Importance of Mental Health Disclosures

Discussing mental health disclosures in college applications is crucial for both students and admissions officers. Students often grow significantly during high school, and acknowledging challenges can provide a more authentic representation of their journey. Individuals like Christina Lopez emphasize that sharing such experiences may empower students and allow them to be true to themselves, while also giving them a voice in their applications. However, it's also made clear that disclosing mental health issues is entirely personal; students are not obligated to share anything they're not comfortable discussing.

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