Hello. I am a first year student at St. John’s University. I am in the pharmacy program. I would like to transfer out to SUNY Binghamton, University at Buffalo, or Stony Brook University. The high school I used to attend is the Bronx High School of Science. I graduated with a poor gpa of 85 and an sat score of 2040. I hate the pharmacy program at St. John’s and I would not like to be pharmacist. Mr grades after the first semester are A in Theology, A in Discover New York, B in English, and D+ in chemistry. I know its terrible, I even had to withdraw from a class. I suffer from major depression and it has most definitely messed with me this year. The drastic changes in social life and just hating the school as well as what I was studying made me decide to transfer. I don’t think “depressive disorder” can really be used as an excuse or anything as that sounds pathetic. I know as a transfer applicant to these schools, since I will have under 24 credits at the time of application, I need to submit my sat score as well as my HS transcript. My questions are basically: how badly will the D+ in chem affect me and will I be able to make it into one of those 3 schools? Thank you for reading this and your time. Responses are greatly appreciated.
Explaining your situation can sometimes reach a sympathetic ear. So don’t undersell that. The D+ doesn’t look good but it is chemistry and it is difficult. So explain yourself and perhaps someone will listen. Chance me back
Depression is real and not a pathetic excuse. Get your mental health in order. Explain it as matter fact. If your depression is under control then the school you transfer to will be less worried.
Yeah I understand depression is real and a problem. I was just looking at it at the stigmatized way people tell me it is looked at. I go to therapy. But I am wondering how badly my grades will affect my chances, aside from the mental health issues.
Your grades are good besides Chem.
I hope so. I am so afraid. I don’t want to stay in this school any longer.
Depression is real but I agree that it does not help to talk in terms of depression-because depression is usually not a one time situation and because the other grades are good. Depression usually doesn’t target one topic-not even the hardest. But the fact that the school was not a good fit and finding out that chem and pharmacy school isn’t a good fit makes the D understandable.
My heart goes out to you & I know EXACTLY what you are going through…why? Because my son could have written your post word for word. He’s most likely in your class! He’s also a PharmD major, 1st semester, same classes (except Philosophy instead of Theology) & he loathes every minute he is there. He hates being at a commuter school. First month was pure hell, he was depressed and disappointed because he felt the (Chem) professor was working against all of you instead of with you. All he did for hours on end were those Wiley questions and study, study, study. Snapchat & Instagram didn’t help because he would see his friends at different schools having a ball. This just made him more resentful and depressed. Not to mention a D in Chem for a mid-term grade just crushed his soul.
So what turned it around and brought him up to a C+? Going to see his advisor often, weekly therapy sessions with a Psychologist, coming to terms that he is there to basically earn that degree & get out, lots & lots of family support & most importantly… an amazing tutor to “translate” what the professor was trying to teach in 200 powerpoint slides a class. I could pass along the # to you if you decide to stay. Unfortunately, as we both know, you would have to retake the class to stay in the program & that D+ brings you just below the 3.0 you need to keep any scholarship you may have (but you have a semester to bring it up & be off of probation).
So your other option is to transfer out. I called all the schools you mentioned above because he was dead set on leaving. Except, swap out Bing for UConn and they all said the same thing… no scholarships that they initially offered and re-apply & hope for the best. Would you still be a STEM major? The SUNY’s offer a $4000+ grant just for that, so that helps.
The D+ would not look favorable but ask for a personal interview and explain your situation. IT’S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. Lots of students change their major and/or University. Once you realize that you need to cut yourself some slack, you’ll be able to move on. I don’t think I actually answered your question but I just wanted to let you know that you were not alone. Looking back, I’d say honestly… my son had no idea what what was in store for him. He always had straight A’s in HS and now he questions his own self worth. Have you spoken to your parents or a trusting adult? Express what you are going through? Everyday I give him the option to leave but for now…he’s decided to stick it out. Enjoy your month off & pursue your options. Best of Luck & take care of your well being first & foremost!
@micheli I actually have been seeing a therapist for more than a year now because this is ongoing thing for me. I really do not want to stay in this school and continue studying this as I really don’t enjoy any of it and don’t think I will. I have gathered my recommendations and am going to try and write a good essay. I really hope I can make it through. I would like to either major in biology or psychology, and figure out where I would like to go from there. I thin financial aid will take a load off me considering my family is very poor. I have friends who made it into bing with a 1500 sat and some other very low grades, but I do not know how it is for transfers. I will call the schools on Friday, hopefully they are still open. But I truly dread these classes and do not want to be a pharmacist, even after talking to my therapist who believes I should leave the program as well. Thank you so much for your reply. It has made me feel less anxious, and given me some hope in case I do stay in this program, which I really hope is not the case.