I’m a sixteen-year-old American who’s lived abroad most of her life, but that’s not what this post is about. That’s just to let you know that, living in the Southern Hemisphere, I will be graduating high school in late 2020 and applying to US colleges as class of 2025. So I have a bit over a year and a half of secondary school left and will start the application process in September of next year.
I wanted to make that clear before I ask how much of a drawback my bad sophomore year grades will be (keeping in mind that I’ll be sending in all four years of my transcript). I’ve struggled with anxiety since I was very young. I was in therapy for several years and had been doing fine for a while until last year. I had a very bad year academically. I didn’t ask for help until it was way too late, and ended up having to take make-up exams in math and chemistry.
I’m doing much better now, with both my mental health and grades. My average so far this year has been around 90%. I go to a very competitive public school and have a very different grading system, but that would be around 4.5 weighted, considering that almost all of my classes are AP/IB level (this is just to try and give some sort of an idea, but grades-wise I’d be considered alongside international students from what I’ve heard). I’m also taking the SATs for the first time in October, and I’ll be aiming for 1500+.
I know I’m going to have to convince colleges that I won’t have any serious issues again, but being in therapy now and taking medication I think I can do that. Do I still have a shot at top schools (Ivies and similar) based on my grades? Is there anything I can do other than work on my ECs and test scores to help compensate? How much should I mention my anxiety on apps?
Consider focusing less on “ivies and similar” and doing more research on the mental health supports that various colleges offer (or don’t offer). Anything that makes the difference between success and dropping out is much more important than what college name is on your diploma.
Find a college that fits who you are, not what sounds prestigious to everyone else. Ivies for those without anxiety issues and perfect everything - grades, scores, activities, etc., are still very challenging to get in. Find other schools you would love to attend.
I’m sorry you’ve had a hard time. The fact is that there are literally tens of thousands of students who have suffered poor grades at some point due to anxiety, depression, family issues, learning disabilities, and so on and so on. Colleges, especially really selective ones, won’t cut you slack for having low grades, but if the grades are noticeably lower at some point, then it MAY be worth explaining that there was an issue that is now resolved. This is best explained by your counselor in his letter of rec.
Be wary though of divulging this information. Colleges want to admit people who will enroll and succeed, so don’t give them a reason to think you can’t.
Although I’m still going to consider top schools (the ones I like, at least), I am looking at other options.
I’ll definitely do research on the services colleges have. That’s great advice! @Groundwork2022
I would consider not mentioning mental health problems in at least some of the applications. I think it might make colleges worry about accepting you because so many kids that never had anxiety or depression problems develop them when they come to campus.