<p>I had dropped my pre-cal class and was told that it would not go on my transcript by my pre-cal teacher. However, I just found out today from my counselor that the grade I had before I dropped the course (a 61%, which is obviously failing) will be final and on my transcript. </p>
<p>I had a rough year, as I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and am just now on effective medications. My grades lowered. I was taken out of AP classes. My GPA stands at a 97% out of a 100% which puts me in the middle of the top 10% of my graduating class.</p>
<p>I've learned to be realistic after everything that has happened.</p>
<p>But maybe community college is a better option?</p>
<p>I want to go to UT Austin. I'd like to even try my shot at the liberal arts honors program.</p>
<p>How badly are my chances affected with this 61 on my transcript?</p>
<p>Do I need to write a letter to the adcoms explaining the 61?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I think that you should right your essay about your disease and how it affected you.</p>
<p>^ better than any other idea. It will explain why you have a 61 and it will make a great essay</p>
<p>Forget about this grade. Petition for a grade change or an incomplete. Have your psychiatrist call the school or write a letter explaining how your illness prevented you from participating fully in the class work. A letter from a physician can work wonders with the administration, even with the discrimination those with mental health issues often face. If it has to stay on your transcript, just explain it when applying to colleges. Write your essay on how getting diagnosed allowed you the opportunity to identify why you failed sometimes and how it has motivated you to overcome poor grades, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you, Bessie. I talked to my psychiatrist two days ago about this, and it has to stay on my transcript (I tried doing what you suggested). My psychiatrist is going to write a supplemental letter when I apply to college stating the cause behind my inconsistent transcript (I was valedictorian before my diagnosis and downward spiral).</p>
<p>So also, I don't want my options to be limited because of my GPA. I've made accomplishments extracurricular-wise, but during my bad period (I've just now gotten better during the past two months), I haven't been involved in anything.</p>
<p>Provided that my stats will improve next year, could you please give me some suggestions regarding other good colleges that would accept me? (And nah, I'm no longer hungry for the Ivy Leagues and Stanford. I want something that's enough for me to get into a good graduate school, provided that I do well in college).</p>
<p>Your grades went down after they put you on medications?</p>
<p>No.</p>
<p>I had two nervous breakdowns, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, spent some time in a mental hospital, and had my medications switched five times until I found some that would work for me.</p>
<p>Before I was on medication that worked effectively, my grades went down. </p>
<p>Really bad.</p>
<p>I must also say that I have a 70 as my honors physics average for the first semester.</p>
<p>Do you live in Texas? If so and you're still in the top ten percent, then you should be able to get into UTA no problem. Or am I missing something?</p>
<p>I do live in Texas. Well, maybe not getting into UTA is the problem. I'm talking about the liberal arts honors program, since from my understanding, you can only apply for it as a freshman and that's your only shot.</p>