<p>Doesn't it look awkward when I have completed college in five years? My school is ranked in the top 25 and is a "public Ivy" and I hope to continue school next year and hopefully have enough credits to finish two out of three areas I have worked in (biochemistry, biology, physics)-- my default plan is to finish with majors in Biochemistry and Physics and a minor in Biology. Nevertheless, I hope my interdisciplinary bent compensates for my medical withdrawal. </p>
<p>I will have completed about 140+ credits if all goes to plan, and my treatment goes well and I manage my condition properly. How do I even begin explain what happened? In some ways, the symptoms I experience (which have grown more acute this year forcing my withdrawal) reflect traits of my fundamental personality -- i.e. it allows me to think rapidly about related thoughts and think critically and creatively, but at the same time for the past few years my thoughts have grown disordered and also plunge me into severe suicide-inducing moodswings. </p>
<p>I'm now getting medication to manage it of course and it is more under control, and one of my professors (Chair of Chemistry) had a daughter who eventually "recovered" from bipolar, went on to MIT, and even could stop taking meds and got "cured" after some time, but I don't think she had to take a medical withdrawal. </p>
<p>And when applying to jobs, how do I explain this on my resume? Should I mention it at all? Should I mention what the disorder was, or that it was even psychological? I think employers and grad schools are prejudiced towards psychiatric disorders. Currently I'm treating my withdrawal year like a "gap" year-- I'm doing some research, applying to some jobs and volunteer programmes and "recharging" my morale.</p>
<p>I can’t see the benefit of mentioning this subject at all–it’s also nobody’s business, and frankly no prospective employer will want to hear the details of your medical history. Students graduate more than four years after finishing high school for all kinds of reasons–financial issues, family crises, schools not offering required courses frequently enough to permit completion of a degree in eight semesters, etc. Your resume will show the year you graduated. If anyone specifically asks, you took a gap year and did x, y and z–not an unusual thing these days. The key issue for you will be whether you feel able to take on the responsibilities of a full-time job. In fairness to yourself and your future employer, you must evaluate yourself honestly (and not depend on a “miracle cure”).</p>
<p>Above is correct, on a resume, you typically list your college graduation month and year, not the dates of attendance, so the timing and length of the gap will not jump out. Your college’s career office can provide some sample resumes for you to follow.</p>
<p>Let’s say an interviewer says (and this is unlikely), “Oh, I see you took five years to graduate…” You would reply along these lines, "Yes, I took a gap year, during which I pursued some independent studies and did some volunteering. It was very valuable in helping me choose a career path (or whatever–elaborate as appropriate). If your activities during that year are worth mentioning (substantial, relevant to your field, etc.), they should be included on your resume as well. Again, your career center will help you present yourself in the most effective way.</p>
<p>Understandably, this is all looming large in your imagination, but it really won’t be an issue if you are otherwise an impressive candidate. There are plenty of parents here on CC who can tell tales of the long an circuitous paths their offspring took to graduation and a career. (Can you guess I’m one of them?)</p>
<p>The OPs university does not allow more than eight semesters so I’m sure they are concerned that anyone taking over four consecutive years to graduate raises a red flag because it is less common. I’m going to fully agree with previous posters here EP, simply list the date you earned your degree (which is the proper format). If you need to explain further, you took a gap year and did XYZ. That is all you need to say. Good for you for taking these positive steps to take care of yourself. I wish you well.</p>
<p>I’m very happy to hear you’re getting treatment for your illness. And kudos to you for completing your education. What other people have said about indicating your graduation date makes sense. With regard to how your illness will affect your job search and eventual employment, I did a little online sleuthing. Obviously, double-check my work! But here’s what I’ve found: You are not legally obligated to disclose a medical condition to an employer. By federal law, a potential employers cannot ask about illness in an interview, though they can decide not to hire someone if they know that person has a condition that will be exacerbated by a particular job. How and when (or whether) you eventually disclose your condition to an employer or potential employer is delicate, though from what I gather, the prevailing wisdom is that you should disclose the information if you think your condition is likely to affect your work. Nevertheless, mental illness is not well understood, so you run the risk of people jumping to ill-informed conclusions. To decide for yourself how or whether to disclose your condition, I would read up on employment law and the Americans With Disabilities Act. You may find that the National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org) can point you in the direction of resources. I would also visit the site for the National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov) for more information.</p>
<p>Regarding post #7. There are really schools that limit enrollment to four years? As more and more students are taking longer, this seems unreasonable. Can you share more info or school names?</p>
<p>RE Post 4, since Schizoaffective disorder is a mental condition that causes both a loss of contact with reality (psychosis) and mood problems employers would LOVE to hear about it - NOT to the OP’s benefit.</p>
<p>OP, many people take longer than 4 years to graduate. IMO if you want a job then don’t bring it up.</p>
<p>Agree, it does not belong on your resume. And its is unlikely to come up in an interview. If you wanted to be honest or give more information than saying only you took a “gap year”, you could say you had some health issues and needed to take time to address them. They cannot ask you anytthing mores about the specifics.</p>