Elite college still possible? And help explaining depression on the application.

Transfer Students
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<p>Hey all! I am a community college student right now, and my circumstances might be a bit different from the typical CCer on this forum, so I'd appreciate any help/advice/insight you can give me.</p>

<p>I actually was quite a good high school student and attended one of the top public schools in California (La Canada). My transcript from high school consists of all A's with some A+'s freshman and sophomore year--- which is a bit reflective of the fact I was afraid of honours/AP overlord due to anxiety/depression and thus didn't always take the most rigorous course load. However, I did have a rising trend in my GPA and number of honours--- from 4.0 freshman, to 4.1 sophmore, 4.3 junior, and 4.5 senior. I took two AP's my senior year (English and Stats) and Honours German IV. In addition, my high school SAT I scores from junior year were decent--- 690 verbal/710 math/750 writing. I was a national merit commended student and recieved a Bank of America Award in the Field of English at the end of my senior year. My activites weren't super strong, but nevertheless, admissions went well for me--- I was accepted at Scripps, St. Mary's College of Maryland ($5000/year scholarship), Agnes Scott ($15,000/year scholarship), and my top choice, University of St. Andrews in Scotland ($3,000/yr scholarship). </p>

<p>Between the end of my senior year and and the fall that I was to attend St. Andrews, I suffered from severe depression, which put a halt to my college plans and the decision to take a gap year. I got progressively better and went on a rampage applying to all the Ivies, UVA, William and Mary, Washington Uni in St. Louis, and Rhodes College in TN with my high school record. My acceptace to St. Andrews was deferred, so even though I applied to all these colleges, in all honesty I expected to just start at St. Andrews the following fall. While I was doing these applications, I was better, but still suffered a bit emotionally and was estranged from my parents and not living at home. My essays I am a bit ashamed of, looking back--- they were very emotional and "pity me" type essays. Needless to say, I got rejected nearly everywhere and waitlisted at Washington Uni in St. Louis. I got into Rhodes with a nice scholarship, but decided I was going to attend St. Andrews.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, my depression relapsed and became even more severe to the point of my almost being hospitalized, and once again, I did not attend St. Andrews. I enrolled in community college, but the first sememter I only completed 7 units due to my emotional state. I did get A's in my English and Philosophy classes, but dropped Calculus because it was too much to handle. </p>

<p>Right now I'm doing much better and am much more optimistic than I have been for a LONG time. :) I'm finishing up my first year at CC, and have 15 units this semester. I will be here another year, so I'll have sixty units, and am planning applications as a junior transfer student. I'm fairly certain I'll a 4.0 GPA, or very close to it.</p>

<p>Now that you've probably been bored to tears reading all this (haha) I have some specific questions. Right now I'm pretty much setting my sights for a UC, particulary Berkeley, but a part of me still wants the elite liberal arts or university feel I would have had at St. Andrews. It it still possible to hope for admission not to an Ivy (because I don't particulary want to go to one) but to somewhere along the lines of Tufts, University of Virginia, John Hopkins, or colleges just below the Ivies? My grades are obviously good, my SAT I is fine I think (2150), and I know my recommendations and essays will be excellent. The one thing I worry about is extra-cirriculars though I do have some I've been very involved in (like choir) and I have had employment. The one area I feel very lacking is SAT II--- my scores from the past are 590 biology (freshman year... no studying... haha), 640 Math IC, 650 literature and 670 american history (I guess okay considering I studied entirely the night before... haha). I know I could probably raise them with preparation, though would colleges look down on retaking them for transferring? I didn't exactly take them seriously the first time around. </p>

<p>The other major question I have about transferring is in regards how to address my year out of school and seven unit semester with a dropped calculus class (attempted tweleve units). My depression was obviously at the root of this, but I am leary of mentioning it on the application for fear the admissions reps think I might think I am likely to have another relapse. Though know many will disagree, I almost like feel like mentioning it is a bit like presenting a sob story and making myself appear the victim. Just how much should I share regarding my depression?</p>

<p>Also, should I want to apply to UVA and William and Mary again, will my past rejection affect me? Will they reread the essays I wrote on the original application? Because now I am in a state of mind where I feel a bit ashamed I wrote such essays that essentially present me as a victim. </p>

<p>If you have read to the bottom of this, I commend you because I know it was quite long winded. Thank you! Any comments you leave will be very much appreciated!</p>

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<p>I also loved St. Andrews but opted for school in the US due to medical reasons. If you’re in good health, you can always study as a visiting student for a year! (I think I will)</p>

<p>I don’t really have a good answer to most of your questions. A good option to stay in California would be some of the Claremont Colleges.</p>

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<p>to tackle the question of how to address your depression in the essay. I underwent chemotherapy and did not have any job experience and lower than average grades during high school when I was getting treated. I got into a school I am not particularly pleased about and am transferring this year. In my applications, under addition information, I wrote about 2 paragraphs explaining my treatment and how chemotherapy has major cognitive side effects. I also explained how it impeded on me working a job. I would just be very eloquent about it. Don’t make it a sob story. Articulate the facts and explanations well and the college will understand.</p>

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<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about SAT subject tests if you’re going to be transferring in as a junior. Your SAT I scores are pretty good, and supposedly, the more college coursework you have completed, the less most schools will actually consider SAT scores, regardless. At least, that’s what I’ve been told. </p>

<p>In any event, you seem golden to me. Great high school GPA (which I am totally jealous of)! And if you leave CC with a 4.0 or close, as you expect to…I really think you have a great chance at going wherever, pending awesome recommendations and essays. </p>

<p>Judging by your writing here and your old 750 writing score, I’d wager you can write a damn good essay if need be. And yeah, good recommendations also shouldn’t be difficult. Some of my CC professors really love me; I think a lot of them are just so used to dealing with apathetic, unambitious students, that it’s all the more exciting when they get a good one. At least, that’s how it is here, for me. This might not be true of all professors in every community college, obviously. But I digress.</p>

<p>I’m glad you’re doing well these days! I’ve been diagnosed with clinical depression myself…and PTSD, amongst other things. This is terribly cliche, but I know how hard it it is; I am impressed and inspired by your ability to overcome. I know it is a difficult issue to bring up on applications, and I wish I had some great words of wisdom. Alas, I do not. </p>

<p>I do think the commenter above me had some good advice, though. Be articulate. Be eloquent. State the facts to the best of your ability, without being too verbose nor self-indulgent. (I know, easier said than done.) If you consistently do well in community college now, which you’re obviously quite capable of, I doubt the admissions reps will fear you having another relapse. Luckily, your depression really hasn’t affected your grades! </p>

<p>A gap year doesn’t necessarily look terrible. Okay, so you got off to a slow start at CC, in terms of courseload. But if you show a solid upward trend, and take 4 or 5 solid classes every semester (or quarter), and get As in them, I don’t think you have much to worry about. At all. </p>

<p>Good luck with everything!</p>

<p>:]</p>

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<p>Perhaps your recommender(s) would be willing to write about your medical problems so that you can focus your essays on your accomplishments. It will be a stronger application if you address your strengths in your essays rather than your weaknesses.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice and responses everyone! I think I will probably just try to briefly state my circumstances under the “additional information” section without going overboard on the details. I don’t feel too comfortable with letting my recommendation writers know about the nature of my depression—I try not to bring it up if at possible. I think as sfjohson said, I should just try to state the situation as eloquently and diplomatically as possible. Thanks. </p>

<p>And yeah, silentlysinging, I know what you mean about community college professors loving you if you show the slightest inclination toward actually doing work and studying! Seriously, one of my English professor thinks I’m the best thing since sliced bread and has already stated that he definitely wants to write my recommendation without me evening bringing it up. Haha. And thanks for your encouraging words.</p>

<p>I may try to see if I can study abroad at St Andrews my junior year, but more likely I’ll wait for grad school (if I can manage to become rich enough to pay for it, that is… lol).</p>