DS is a high school senior, accepted to 7/9 colleges so far with merit scholarships from all of them. Severe depression struck this winter requiring inpatient admission, twice weekly therapy and psychiatric care. He’s still struggling to get up each day and get the bare minimum done, self care is poor and he’s exhausted all the time, but will graduate in June. Previously had milder seasonal affective symptoms most winters, but this year was 10x worse. Confidence in his mental health has been totally eroded. His acceptances to college have been great, but also leave him panicked that he won’t be well enough to function independently and without his therapeutic supports away at college 5 months from now. His providers would support him taking a medical leave for a year to focus on therapy, tweaking his meds, and part time work.
Do we ask his first choice college about deferred enrollment for medical reasons and if it will impact his scholarship offer (they don’t seem to have anything encouraging deferral for gap year) or accept admission and then apply for medical leave later this summer? Part of me is worried that by asking about deferral at this point might result in some rescinding of his acceptance.
Any guidance would be greatly appreciated, TIA.