I have had a mild depression through all of high school and am in my senior year now. I have never officially been diagnosed though. I’m taking a gap year next year. After that I would really like to go to a university such as UC Berkeley or UCLA. I will need scholarships. I don’t live in the US, but I do have citizenship.
Because of the depression, my grades (all AP classes) are a bit lower - probably around a B -and where I live there aren’t many extracurricular activities, so my cv is not very long. And I’m not very outgoing.
In order to fight off mild depression, consider exercising every day & in eating foods that fight depression (which a quick google search should reveal).
Scholarships typically have SAT / ACT score requirements as well as minimum GPA requirements.
Need based financial aid, however, is based on one’s family income & resources.
Sorry about your Health issues and hopefully you are getting better but why the UC’s?
A few things to consider regarding UCLA and UCB.
Affordability: You need to determine your College budget
UC’s give little to no financial aid to non California residents and most is need based vs merit. As a UC citizen but not a CA resident, your costs would be around $65K/ year minus any Federal aid (if eligible) which would still make costs at $50K+
Academics: What is your GPA?
UC’s require a 3.4 minimum capped weighted GPA to apply but this will not get you into these schools. Below are the GPA ranges from 2019 admits:
2019 UC capped weighted GPA averages along with 25th-75th percentile range:
UCB: 4.23 (4.15-4.30)
UCLA: 4.25 (4.18-4.32)
ACT or SAT scores along with SAT subject tests? You do not list any test scores and many schools do recommend SAT subject tests.
2019 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT totals:
UCB: 1340-1540
UCLA: 1330-1550
Scholarships: Merit scholarships use GPA and test scores for their criteria, so High GPA and test scores are needed. UCLA/UCB give little in the form of merit aid $2000-2500 K/year and the recipients are the top 1-2% of applicants.
Need based aid: As a US citizen you are eligible for need-based aid if you qualify but being OOS for all state schools, you are not eligible for in-state aid. Private univesities do not consider state residency.
If you give posters all information such as test scores, GPA, HS course rigor, Field of study, target geographical areas, school likes and dislikes, college budget etc… CC Posters can make suggestions for schools that could fit your criteria. UCLA/UCB are not going to happen based on what you have posted so far but with thousands of colleges in the US, we can help steer you to better fits.
I’m sorry you are living with depression. Please help yourself by seeking treatment with a therapist. If your depression is mild, you will likely find Cognitive Based Therapy very helpful.
Please don’t feel this is a criticism, but with B grades, you will not be able to get into UCLA or Berkeley. And you will have to pay out of state tuition, as you are not a CA resident. It will be challenging as a B student to get scholarships for most schools.
I suggest you post your grades and test scores, financial situation, potential major and desired attributes for colleges in the Search and Selection forum. There are so many colleges in the US, but the question will probably come down to finances and where you can get in, based on your grades and test scores.
My main tip for you, in terms of finding a college, is to find colleges you can attend in the place you currently live. Be satisfied with what is realistic for you.
^ I think there are a decent number of schools that will give merit funding to B students, but obviously they are not top tier schools, and it’s unlikely to be full ride funding. Schools with need based funding are probably the best bet, but even so it’s going to be a stretch for a student currently based overseas to get enough to fully fund. One advantage over internationals of course is the ability to work off campus.
I completely relate. I have moderate suicidal ideation and clinical depression. My doctor always seems to normalize it and tells me that talking to people and exercising will help me, but if I had the motivation to do that, would I have suicidal ideation? Last year I accomplished a lot of things while wanting to die, I placed at a national robotics competition, got straight As in 5 AP classes and Chinese 4, and I got a 5 on 3 of my AP Exams. But what people don’t realize is that I cried myself to sleep trying to get those As, I failed 2 AP Exams, and I constantly felt like I would never be good enough. I understand that sinking feeling. This year is my senior year. I got accepted into colleges thus far, but I am not excited at all. I dread the thought of having to go through the school system for 4 more years. I know a couple of my colleges may rescind acceptances because of how poorly I’m doing in my classes this year, and I’m terrified. I have a biology exam tomorrow that I am not going to even think about even though I am well aware that if I fail, I will get a D in the class.
I think UCs are a lot more progressive, which is why that’s where I want to go. They tend to generally be more understanding and emotionally intelligent, which is why I feel like that would be the perfect place for you. You also have the ability to write an optional essay that would allow you to tell them your story with depression.
I hope you have an amazing gap year and are successful with whatever you decide to pursue! Sorry for ranting, but I needed someone to listen to me objectively.