Semester Off - Explain in application?

[PreMedHopeful]

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This Fall 2009 semester I had to take off since I was hospitalized with hypomania and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Thus, I went home and took the semester off....

How do I explain this in the application and should I just say illness or should I say bipolar?

 

[mathgrl83]

A lot of secondary apps will ask you to explain any gaps in your education, so this would be the time for you to include this issue. I would just say that you took a semester off due to medical problems. They don't need to know any more than that, and I'm pretty sure they're not legally allowed to ask for details. Just make sure that you also tell them (assuming it's true) that the problem is under control/resolved/being treated so that they don't think it will interfere with your ability to do well in med school.