How do I explain this? (Autoimmune disease, transfer, etc.)

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

Hi all. A couple months ago, I started to receive treatment for a previously undiagnosed autoimmune disease which affected my academic performance. After high school, I made the decision to attend my local CC because I was too sick to live away from home or even drive. I had a bad first semester, but began a slow upward trend as I learned to manage my symptoms as well as I could without proper treatment or diagnosis (3.5 GPA now + honors program). After I landed in the hospital in September 2016, I finally got diagnosed and was able to receive care.
The treatment for this disease is slow and even though I’ve been medicated since September, I’ve only started feeling healthy/ functional this month. Up until this point, I’ve only been able to take two classes per semester, and I have 3 W’s over the course of 3 years (caused by autoimmune flare ups). I also took a semester off for this reason before I ended up in the ER. From this point on, I’ll be able to become a full time student and, most likely, recieve straight A’s until I complete IGETC + major prereqs.

My question is: how do I explain this drastic change and spread out W’s? Usually, W’s due to illness occur within one semester. I have 3 spread out across 3 years. Does my situation negatively impact my chances at a UC/ eventual grad school?

Schools of choice are UCI, UCD, UCLA, UCB, UCSD, UCSB

Thank you for reading!

2

My major is anthro, by the way.

3

@brainbag your drive and ambition deserve admiration! I am glad to hear that you learned to manage your illness and are feeling better. In my opinion, your situation does not have any negative impact on your chances, if anything, it will only increase them. You had to deal with an adversity and after struggling for 3 years, you managed to overcome it and get back on track with your grades. Your story is incredible and I am sure will inspire other transfers. You don’t really have to explain anything to UC (most of them don’t really care about Ws), but if you feel like saying something - use this story in your personal statement. One of the last year’s questions had to do with adversity and overcoming difficulties, and this is a great example of such. Good luck to you, my friend, and I hope you get into the school of your dreams :slight_smile:

4

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply! That all sounds pretty consistent with what my academic counselor told me, but he’s VERY optimistic so I wanted to get a second opinion, haha. Guess he was realistic too! Good luck to you as well, whatever you’re up to :slight_smile:

5

I had the same issue when I applied. My personal insight questions still keep me up at night :confused: I vary between worrying if I didn’t explain my situation enough and worrying if I came off as using my illness as a crutch :(( Are you applying for 2018? Good luck (with both your academic plans and treatment course)!!! ^______^

6

Don’t worry about the Ws spread out. You were dealing with an illness, and as the others said, that’s very admirable. To be truthful, your upward journey is inspiring. Hope you’re on the path to management and good days!