Confidential Info in Essays

[PolAn]

Hi all,

I am throwing this out for you guys to weigh in. I am preparing a few essays for MPA/MPP programs. In some of the essays, I feel that I need to incorporate info about my experience that is confidential. I believe that I am being generic enough not to reveal any such info; however, I still wonder what admission committees policies are on this matter, and how discreet staff are when it comes to handling confidential info from applicants.

Please share your experience. Thanks in advance for your insights...

[junebug62]

What the heck do you mean "confidential"? If its very personal and you feel uncomfortable writing it, its probably inappropriate for a grad school essay. If its like, military/spy stuff confidential then duh you can't put it in an essay that's illegal. What are you talking about?

[PolAn]

I am neither referring to personal nor to military/national security info. I am in the finance/investment industry, and I have access to information that, if revealed, could affect the stock price or the reputation of a company for instance...Enough said. Now do you have any insights regarding the concern that I highlighted in my original post?

[zourah]

No. If you can eliminate enough identifying details about the compan(y/ies) in question to ensure their confidentiality, then tell your story. If you really would be sharing confidential info, don't.

[PolAn]

zourah,

thanks for replying. As I said, I believe my language is generic enough not to disclose confidential info. I was curious about what adcom policies/practices are on the matter, just to reinforce my comfort level.