<p>I have struggled with depression since high school. Because of it, I dropped out of high school but got my GED soon after. I did take the ACT and got a 24. I then enrolled in community college and am currently taking my final class to graduate with an AA. However, my transcript is filled with numerous Withdrawls and Repeats. My GPA is currently 3.135, but the class I am taking is a repeat so the previous grade doesn't count. By my calculations, if I get an A in this class I will graduate with a 3.33 (not sure if this is correct.) I also enrolled last semester in a public university but withdrew from one class and failed the rest due to dropping out. I have been told I can file a retroactive medical withdrawal, but I have not filed the appeal.</p>
<p>My question is, where do I have a chance at? I want to study linguistics and am looking at University of California - Santa Cruz. I want to get away from the Chicago winters because I think I might have SAD. If not there, where should I look?</p>
<p>Also, since most application deadlines have passed, I am probably looking to apply for Fall of 2009. What should I do in the meantime? I am planning to work and maybe take a foreign language. I am also thinking of doing some volunteering. Is there anything else I can do to improve my chances? Would it be beneficial to retake the ACT or take the SAT? I have not taken many more math and science classes since high school, and I probably have forgotten a lot of math.</p>
<p>I am also probably going to have to enroll part-time as I have trouble handling a full-time load. So yeah, where should I apply?</p>
<p>It would be a good idea to study for and then retake the ACT. I believe UCSC also requires some SAT IIs. You should also check their admissions website and see how your GPA fits with those of other applicants. With an academic record that includes a number of Ws and Fs, schools to which you apply as a transfer will wonder about your likelihood of future academic success. They will probably expect a medical excuse for your academic record to be verified by a diagnosis and treatment.</p>
<p>Well, first of all, I am sorry you have been struggling with depression. It is a great personal challenge and an often misunderstood illness. Congratulations on your perserverance and resilience. I would suggest trying to take a class at the university you wish to apply to through their extension program. Get to know your professor. Go to office hours, chat for a moment after class, etc. Get an excellent grade. If your desired university is too far away, take it a comparable local university. If a class isn't in the cards, see if you can do some volunteer work with local schools or organizations that relate to your desired major. You can call or email a prof at any school and sk for suggestions. Just tell them you are considering thatmajor and want to explore it prior to applying. Second, your struggles with illness will most likely be taken into account if you disclose it in the application. Third, students with medical issues and/or learning disorders often can be classified as full time student while taking a reduced class load. You will have to go through the student disability program to find out how this works. Lastly, you can apply at UCSC and back that up with some of the Cal State schools, which you would be likely to get into. Are there any in Southern California you like? It IS much sunnier down there. Apply for the retroactive medical withdrawal. The detais can be overwhelming for someone with depression, but I think this is worthwhile. The bad grades will be removed from your gpa and you will have a better chance at moving forward in the direction you want to go. Good luck.</p>
<p>I looked into the summer programs at University of Chicago and Northwestern. Both are over $2500 per course, and that does not include fees. This seems rather high to me. However, I found some online classes I could take. Do you think it would be a good idea? UCLA Extension has a Linguistics course: Languages of the World and Berkeley has The History of the English Language. I also want to take Spanish somewhere to work on my foreign language requirement.</p>
<p>Live at home and take an extension class that sounds appealing to you. Should cost anywhere from 500.00 to 1000.00. Usually any member of the community can take classes through the university extension program. Or, save money and go to your local CC or State university. Small privates may also have extension classes and many be less expensive. Online should be your last choice as you are trying to show future admissions counselors that you can excel academically in the college environment, interact with peers and professors, and prove you generally belong on a college campus. The school doesn't need to be prestigious like Northwestern or Berkeley- I don't think it matters where you take your class-just take something you like and show up everyday for class. Oh yeah, and do your work. (The hardest part!)</p>
<p>Oh yeah, $2500.00 plus is insane. I should have added that the online classes will show initiative and diligence... I didn't mean to underestimate your online class plans. Any completed college class will be considered an accomplishment.</p>
<p>You can take a reduced coures load once in college. I do, because of a combination of health factors and it makes all the difference. Don't not apply to challenging school because you fear you can't handle it. You can. If accomodations are made, which they most likely will be.</p>