I have always been a good student with good grades. I was planning on going to University after high school but my sister was killed in a car accident which I had a very hard time with. I battled severe depression and anxiety and have been working for 4 years since I graduated high school. I have been doing drastically better the past year and a half - working full time and taking college classes as a non-major student at the university at buffalo. I have gotten A’s in the 3 classes I have taken there and I am so happy to be back in school. I have so much drive to succeed which I was lacking in the previous years. I am 24 and want to go to apply to school… they are asking for a gap statement. how do I write about this without sounding negative?
It makes sense that this tragedy would affect your decision to go to college right after high school. Personally I would not mention the phrase “severe depression” but explain that your sister’s death was very hard for you and your family and you needed to take time off from school to grieve. You could talk about seeing a therapist or participating in a grief group if you did these things. It sounds like you are on the right track to be successful in college - good luck!
I agree with above. I think your sister’s death is a perfectly legitimate reason that you would put off schooling. I also agree to not mention depression/anxiety in your statement. So sorry to hear about your sister. Good luck!