<p>Is cost an issue? I know that Bennington is very expensive and doesn't give much at all in the way of aid.</p>
<p>It's late, and I don't have time to read through these posts, but I'll share my story with you. I suffered from depression and all that jazz, dropped out of high school and earned my GED a few weeks later(The GED test is the most ridiculously easy thing in existence). I immediately enrolled in CC, and due to my depression/anxiety at an all time high, pretty much wound up not going after a few months, and basically ended up with 3 Fs, because I forgot/didn't know or care to withdraw. </p>
<p>Went back to CC about a year later, after I got my depression under control, and thankfully managed to get the first semester taken off the transcript, via doctor's note.
Since then I have pretty much got all As, with one exception. I am graduating this semester with a 3.9something, and transferring to the University of Florida(Wanted to go bigger and better, but funds limit me).</p>
<p>Honestly, don't let anyone tell you what to do or not to do. I believed dropping out of HS was the right thing, and I believe it worked out better in the long run. There is this societal taboo on HS dropout, because it is seen as the only option. Just remember, the usual path is not the perfect path for all.</p>
<p>Edit: I think I saw somebody say you do not need a GED/diploma to attend college/CC. This is wrong in the case of Florida at least, as you are required to have one or the other. I had SAT scores that put me way above the normal placement and it was still required of me.</p>
<p>Thankfully, even in times such as these with financial advisors for parents, money is not an issue: my parents will pay my for my undergraduate education, no matter where I get accepted/matriculate.</p>
<p>faransa,
i'm sorry you have has such a horrible ordeal. I also send a hug and warm smile and hope you can step back and see the lunacy in the craziness of this whole college preparation process. You have become basically overwhelmed with the big picture of striving for perfection in pursuit of the elite college. It is not worth beating yourself up at such a young age. You are young and alive and that is a beautiful thing. Take one step at a time and hopefully you can experience some joy in your life again. I see nothing wrong with CC, for GED and hopefully in time things can feel better. All the best to you</p>
<p>Wow...it's amazing how much I have in common with you. I'm seriously contemplating dropping out, getting a GED and enrolling in a community college too (And I've been pretty depressed since Sophomore year - I'm currently a Junior), except I've seriously contemplated suicide as well...ignorance really is bliss, I wish I had never found out the college admission process until the summer before Senior Year :(</p>
<p>^
If you are seriously thinking about suicide, you NEED to seek help ASAP.</p>
<p>Would Reed be right for me?</p>
<p>I'm not sure I'd recommend Reed for you. The students are intense about their workload. Very intense. Might not be the best mental health climate for your situation.</p>
<p>Thanks. I was wondering about that...</p>
<p>
[quote]
^
If you are seriously thinking about suicide, you NEED to seek help ASAP.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Ya I'm talking about medication with my therapist...</p>
<p>P.S. Sorry for quasi-hijacking your thread...it was just sort of comforting to know there was someone else like me around...</p>
<p>^It's okay...I know how you feel. </p>
<p>And wow, the Teenage Liberation Handbook is Amazing.</p>
<p>Faransaa, I think Barnard could be a very nice fit for you. They're small, and from what I've heard, go over applications very carefully, so they will notice your strengths and gifts. And with the partnership with Columbia, you would get the best of both worlds, a small LAC with the resources of a major research university. </p>
<p>PoliticsFreak, get whatever help you need - focus on health first, then college applications. Just my two cents' worth.</p>
<p>Wow, unschooling is incredible! I feel so liberated, so utterly free! Thank you all for your tremendous support, not to mention your suggestions to homeschool. I didn't even think that was an option for me until I read the Teenage Liberation Handbook, when I suddenly came to feel entirely unfettered from the shackles of school and the "learning" it supposedly provides. </p>
<p>I identify closely with Kyla Wetherall, who writes in Real Lives:</p>
<p>"(When I first got out of school I was anxious to make sure that I wouldn't abandon my studies just because the structure I was used to had disappeared. Fortunately though, as I adjusted to my new life, I got out of the old mode of making lists and rigid plans. Gradually, I found that by giving myself the freedom of spontaneity, I didn't at all jeopardize my self-made education, but actually increased the enjoyment and diversity of learning.)"</p>
<p>Now, with this "increased enjoyment and diversity of learning", and with my abounding time and energy, I want to find ways to better pursue my interests. I want to use my gifts to the utmost potential, for my own enjoyment and for the sake of others. (Admittedly, it wouldn't hurt my college apps either.) So I was wondering: Do any of you know ways to get involved in the following activities?</p>
<p>My areas of interest (in descending order of fixation level):</p>
<ol>
<li>Creative Writing - (Fiction Writing, Poetry, Play-/Screen-writing)</li>
<li>Dance - (Dance Team (Poms), Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, African; Yoga)</li>
<li>Theatre - (Musicals, mainly, but sometimes also plays)</li>
<li>Volunteering - (Tutoring, Mentoring, Assisting)</li>
<li>Languages - (fluency in French; beginning in Chinese, Arabic)</li>
</ol>
<p>Other areas of importance, to a lesser extent:</p>
<ol>
<li>Voice - (Private Lessons)</li>
<li>Model United Nations</li>
<li>Philosophy - (Club?)</li>
<li>Job - (Something literary-related, most likely)</li>
</ol>
<p>So far, my ideas for how to get involved:</p>
<ol>
<li>Enter writing contests; attend writing seminars/camps</li>
<li>Join a local studio</li>
<li>I'm not sure about this one...get involved through a participating school, maybe?</li>
<li>Get involved through participating foundations/schools</li>
<li>Tutor; join clubs through participating schools</li>
<li>Private voice lessons</li>
<li>Participate through a school</li>
<li>Start a club at community college?</li>
<li>This one's pretty self-explanatory...</li>
</ol>
<p>Do you guys have any suggestions on how else I could go about pursuing my interests? Any opportunities unique to homeschoolers? I'd love some input!</p>
<p>Jasoninpines, I looked at UF's website and you can apply for admission without a diploma or a GED if you're applying as a homeschooler. You certainly can apply with GED, but you don't necessarily have to have it. </p>
<hr>
<p>Non-Accredited and Home Schools
Any student who does not graduate from a regionally accredited secondary school must provide, in addition to a transcript and the SAT or ACT With Writing results required of other applicants, results from the SAT II examinations in mathematics (Level II-C), foreign language, science and social science. For admission decision purposes, the university will use the result of the SAT writing subscore if the applicant has no dual-enrollment or virtual school English composition coursework, since the SAT II in writing is no longer offered. </p>
<p>Applicants who present G.E.D. scores must also present secondary school records and standardized test scores. </p>
<p>University</a> of Florida - Admissions</p>
<hr>
<p>I'm sure there are some rare instances where a diploma or a GED is still required, but it's quite uncommon.</p>
<p>why not contribute/start up a high school section in a county/local newspaper. Maybe you can be editor of a dance/philosophy/entertainment section</p>
<p>I can't believe nobody said this but dance is great for depression!</p>
<p>As Im read your post im seeing something that reminds me of a very close girlfriend of mine, she has Bipolar Disorder extreme highs and lows , rushing thoughts and feeling of hoplessness. Stress can be a very powerful thing when certain disorders are concerned and Bipolar Disorder is one of them. if you want to suceed you need to slow down mentally and physically take one step at a time even when your feeling at your best avoid that pit you fall in that stops your world. </p>
<p>Dont look pass getting your GED it can get overwhelming in a hurry, I have had years of experience at this disorder 22 to be exact.</p>
<p>Everytime I seen it coming with every stage of her life, it can be managed, pay attention to the things that trigger your depression overwhelming feelings to suceed can be one of them and the disappointing "B" slow down, enjoy your education, its not a race.</p>
<p>Also its good to be apart of outside activities but wow why so extreme, stress can also cause hormonal imbalances thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, biochemical imbalances its something to think about anyway.</p>