Last school year, I was clinically depressed and suicidal. I attempted suicide in the last 2 months of school, and I stayed in a psychiatric hospital for the remainder of the school year. I finished school out in the hospital and got a 90 average. I also got an 85 on my two regents exams. On top of all this, I moved to a new school district over the summer, and I had a hard time adjusting. I got an 84 average this semester, and last year my grades were consistently 98 unweighted. Will colleges deny my applications because of my two poor semesters? I’m getting antsy when I think about it. Any answers will be appreciated. I’m a sophomore by the way, and I want to attend UMichigan, Stony Brook, or a school with a similar acceptance rate. I’m nervous I won’t be able to achieve my high goals.
I’m also on a competitive varsity cross country team, national art honor society, and one AP and the rest Pre-AP/Honors classes. Again, any replies would be appreciated.
Depends on your test scores, but Stony Brook should be a match.
To be fair, kid. Your life is just beginning. If you are struggling right now, maybe go to a community college first. I’ve started at a community college, and currently a student at SUNY Albany. Never in my life I would thought I would be in a four-year school after failing the living environment regents seven times. Now, I’m majoring in Biology which is something I was never intended to do. Life is beautiful. Relax, take it slow and you’ll see the results. In the end, It doesn’t matter where you start, what matters is where you finish and make your parents and family proud of something many kids don’t have the opportunity.
What does your therapist have to say about your challenges with adjustment? Frankly, your mental health is the most important thing. Focus on getting that organized first. Then worry about where you could end up for college.
You still have the rest of sophomore year and junior year to improve your grades for the regular college admissions cycle. Or, as @NASA2014 has done, you can go to college on your schedule rather than the schedule.
Sophomore year is way too early to narrow your college list to two schools. Continue to take challenging classes, try ECs, and read college guides. There is a whole world of options out there. Most kids learn to bloom where they are planted even when they don’t get into their first choice school.