OCD Action

racough
Member

Hello

I have suffered from OCD and like most people, especially males, never told anyone my condition; hence I was never officially diagnosed until late in life. The OCD was so crippling that it caused me to have a really deficient work history.

Now that I have my OCD under control I am trying to make up what I missed all of my life—it was this hope that kept me from doing myself in despite not having a soul to confide to and not having met anyone with the condition. I had not the slightest idea anyone else had what I had.

I am now applying to a prestigious MBA program at UNC. I have taken many upper level business courses including one upper level MBA in which I made an H (the highest grade). There is no doubt, as my professors will testify, that I am more than capable of doing the classwork.

But the school looks at other qualities, notably employment history, and other leadership qualities perhaps that were acquired by being part of a non-profit organization, as you will see in the school’s required essays for admission listed below.

Here is my dilemma: I have to show that I have the abilities to be an MBA (and I am much older than the typical MBA, though it is certainly not rare for people even in their 40s or 50s person to be in B-school but I do have to cover for those unproductive years of my life dominated by OCD.

To begin with the term OCD, as used colloquially, has quite a different meaning to the condition associated with the medical use of the term. People think “clean freak,” egomaniacal control freak,” but have no idea whatsoever about intrusive thoughts, scrupulosity, harming fears, HOCD and the like.

An admissions interview is no time to enlighten your interviewers about OCD. I usually say I have had depression (which is related, even biologically to OCD) and perhaps I add I have an anxiety disorder.

I kept myself going and from doing away with myself during those dark ages of my OCD with the hope, even though I never knew that was a disease, OCD but I do not just want to endure OCD but do something productive with my talents for God and humanity. I do not want my epitaph to read “He survived OCD.”

Now here is what I am asking everyone. Below are some short essays (1-2 pages at most) I have to submit (the 18th is the deadline) to the UNC B-school and I need help on writing them.

What exasperates the difficulty in writing them, is my deficiencies come to light, i.e. all the dreams and aspirations I lost through the years due to my OCD.

So what I am asking is not that anyone write them for me—I have enough writing skills to compose them—but (1) give me some ideas or angles that I could use in them (e.g. my illness has given me a drive that I would not of had otherwise)—anything and (2) some catchy phrase I could insert.

I need to get this done soon as I learned in my one MBA class, where we talked about created processes and brainstorming sessions, odd ideas coming from many people can work toward a very productive solution to any pressing problem. So be creative and bold and look at every angel. I know many of you will have different life experiences and can offer something unique.

Once again, I am looking for an angle that makes me unique, that shows I, despite my lack of work history, have other worthy qualities that make up for what I missed in employment, etc. And again, you do not have to have all the answers but if you can a twist or phrase here and there—any kind of idea—I would appreciate it.

You can email me back if you need more information.

Below are the required essays:

Essay One (Required)
What are the 2 or 3 strengths or characteristics that have driven your career success thus far? Do you have other strengths that you would like to leverage in the future? (500 words maximum)

Essay Two (Required)
Briefly describe the career path you intend to pursue immediately after B-school. Explain why this career option appeals to you and why an MBA is appropriate at this time. (500 words maximum)

Essay Three (Required)
What personal qualities or life experiences distinguish you from other applicants? How do these qualities or experiences equip you to contribute to Kenan-Flagler? (500 words maximum)

Essay Four (Required)
Kenan-Flagler has five core values: excellence, leadership, integrity, community and teamwork. If you could add a sixth value what would it be and why? Be sure to explain how you have lived this value. (300 words maximum)

Essay Five (Optional) [Not so important]
If your GMAT quantitative score is low, or if you have not had coursework in calculus, microeconomics, statistics and financial accounting, please tell us how you plan to prepare yourself for the quantitative MBA curriculum. (300 words maximum)

Essay Six (Optional)
Is there anything else you think the Admissions Committee should know about you in order to evaluate your candidacy? (300 words maximum)

Wed Mar 10 2010 4:14:55 #
Joel
Key Master

Hi racough.
It seems that by getting on top of your OCD you have displayed determination, courage, focus and an ability to get through diffuclt times. I have done an MBA myself ( distance learning) and it is these qualities that are more important than anything else. These are the quallities that they should be looking for and you can put them down in the "personal qualities and experiences" section.
joel

Wed Mar 10 2010 9:58:06 #
Unregistered

Dear Racough

I agree with everything Joel has said.

I cannot recommend this because it may not work for you and could be detrimental, but when I applied for my access course at 49, after getting 80% control over my OCD and taking early retirement on sick, I told the lady who rang me (she had an MA hons for Oxford) that I had had severe OCD. When I arrived for the interview she put me straight on the BA course for two reasons. First, She thought I had sufficient qualifications - 2 poorly graded A levels and a very expressive mind. Second, she was impressed by my honesty and determination. I rarely talked about my OCD throughout my time at Uni (Plymouth, Exeter and then a top Institute at Exeter) - once when it slipped out by mistake and once when I had to do some rewriting for my PhD. Both times I got full support and much admiration and the second time much needed understanding because my OCD was up to 80% due to my failure to get a direct pass and I was making typos which needed to be explained.

So, as you see age is not a barrier for you. I have given papers at three top international conferences and held my own really well. Had I finished earlier, I feel sure I would have been able to get part-time work - which would have suited me fine. I have changed track at the moment because I wanted to write my project. I wanted to use my skills to help others.

You have a clear advantage over me in that you have to work less hard to get really good marks.

I think that the special skill you have is real determination to beat your illness so that you can put others before yourself. It does seem that you would enjoy working for a charity when you have qualified. Why don't you look at various charities on the internet to see what they look for in employees. This will help you when you write those essays. You clearly have all the qualities they are looking for and extreme intelligence - so go for it.

Please pm me if you would like any further encouragement.

I can let you have my email.

Very best wishes

Anne
(Dr Anne PhD (at 61) -40 year sufferer of extreme OCD)

Wed Mar 10 2010 10:31:22 #
Unregistered

Hi Racough

Is this the University of North Carolina? Ps Have you thought of working for the UN in the US? I see they have vacancies at UNHCR.

Wed Mar 10 2010 12:05:36 #