Depression, anxiety, etc.

<p>I've had moderate to severe anxiety, BPD, and depression since before high school. My grades are excellent (4.0 UW) at one of the top 50 US high schools and I've been taking the most advanced courses allowed, but on many days keeping up with schoolwork is literally all I can manage, or even too much. Beyond some minor music stuff (All-State, youth orchestra, UIL) I'm lacking severely in the EC department, and leadership is also shot (anxiety.) Do I have any chances whatsoever at top universities/LACs, or should I start planning for state university/lower-tier schools? I've been dreaming of going to Princeton since I was three, visited it recently and loved it, but after looking around I seem to have literally nothing to offer and have a terrible resume compared to most applicants.</p>

<p>Your grades and scores will get you past the first cut. Think essay. Schools want to know what they have that will help you do what you want to do. They also want to know what you’ve done already to pursue that goal. For top schools, you need a goal, you need to have done something toward that goal, and you need to tell them how they will enable you best realize that objective. Don’t get crazed by the EC lists. You don’t have to join the Poetry Club to write Poetry. Music is personal. You have pursued it alone and with teachers. Now you select the university that will foster your interests. Get it? Work on that essay . . . Also, don’t fret the leadership thing. If people spent a little more time leading their own lives and butting out of others, it would be a better world.</p>

<p>Thank you so much. You’re one of the first people who’s told me that I have a chance despite my awful r</p>

<p>Hopefulperson, How did it go on your essay writing? Keep us posted about how things turn out for you.</p>

<p>You sound like an outstanding student to me. Everybody has bad days, so as long as you get that across in your essays, I wouldn’t worry about it. As for EC’s, I would TRY to get involved, but do NOT continue if you cannot manage. What I hate about college’s is that they want to see that you are involved outside of school, and while I am, I personally see it as unfair. Some people simply do not have an interest for any programs that their school offers, and it should be your CHOICE whether to get involved or not, not your obligation.</p>

<p>Personally, I have dealt with (and still continue to deal with) anxiety, depression, etc. What helps me to deal with it is creative writing. I’ll write something, usually something about how I feel, then either delete it (I’m usually using the notes on my phone) or throw it in the trash. I feel better almost immediately. All you need is an outlet for your emotions. Good luck!</p>

<p>Don’t count yourself out already. Just because you think you have a terrible resume doesn’t necessarily mean that Princeton’s admission committee would think the same. So if you really want to get into Princeton, do apply. And I agree with one of the respondents, you will need to work on your essay. And if I were you I’d mention my condition and how I’ve overcome challenges despite the condition. Colleges love that stuff.
This is longtime ago. Georgetown University Law School’s representative came to our college and gave a talk. She told us about the story of a single father who worked at McDonald’s to provide for his family, he had no other work experience. Georgetown Law School took him in.
So you see there is no one perfect model to adopt to get into a good school. Each applicant is perfect in his/her own way.
Good luck!</p>

<p>As a student with a medical condition, you would be given extra consideration as part of diversity requirements is to recruit and retain those with disabilities.</p>

<p>I would suggest looking around and applying to a bunch of schools, and not just be set on Princeton. It sounds like you could be admitted, but the admittance rates are really low.</p>

<p>I agree 100% that the essay will be important, and if you can relate how living with your medical issues has affected your schoolwork and outlook on life, it would be a great support for your application.</p>

<p>I was what I now know was clinically depressed due to daily beatings by my brother and horrible verbal abuse as well. I got good grades and was told by my guidance counselor to be happy with an automatic admittance to my state school based on PSAT score. I ignored him and applied to several Ivies, and got into all of them. Even though my ECs were pretty weak. Point is, at least try and have backups available. I do suggest finding a school with excellent free counseling support on campus however, you should look into that for Princeton and anywhere else you apply.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>