Bipolar Disorder

Applying to College
1

<p>I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder this year. It is not that it recently started, but I finally went to see a specialist, because I knew something was not quite how it should be. I am now a freshman in College, but not very happy at the place I am at.</p>

<p>I currently have a 3.7 college GPA though at a good but not top Liberal Arts College.
I am going to apply to Macalester and Georgetown as my top choices.</p>

<p>So my question now is, is it helpful or harmful to include that I suffer from bipolar disorder in my application? This sure explains why I had major mood swings, which resulted in a large variety of academic performances.</p>

2

<p>You should definitely include it and let them know. If it'll help or hurt you, I'm not 100% sure.</p>

3

<p>Do not mention it, colleges will avoid kid's who could potentially have issues.</p>

4

<p>I would not mention it. You have an excellent GPA and nothing to "explain" as far as I'm concerned. However, after acceptance and before you plunk down any money, meet with them and ask for a section 504 reasonable accommodation plan.</p>

<p>As sad as it is, I believe that colleges do avoid accepting kids with known mental health issues. It is a reality. Don't waste time and energy sweating this reality. You sound like you have some pretty good coping skills going on and remember, there is more than Macalester and Georgetown out there. Perhaps apply to 2 or 3 others that are easier to get into??</p>

5

<p>Hyperglot -</p>

<p>Have you taken a look at the threads in the Learning Disabilities and Challenges forum? Here's the link. I think you will find the kind of advice that you are looking for there.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/learning-differences-challenges-ld-adhd/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

6

<p>I don't believe 504 plans apply beyond high school.</p>

7

<p>I don't know if you should mention it or not.
Just thought I'd mention that the department head in the grad program I'm in told us that he has bipolar disorder. A couple of other people I know also mentioned they have it. I would've never guessed if they hadn't told me.</p>

8

<p>Telling them is a bad idea. They think people who are bipolar or depressed will bring down the school's atmosphere.</p>