Mental Illness on College Apps?

Parents Forum
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<p>In every way, you need to view your depression as the medical problem that it is. There is a subtext here that might indicate you feel you have a character defect or something. How would you handle this if you had cancer or epilepsy or some other medical problem?</p>

<p>If you have been diagnosed and treated by an MD- and perhaps you haven’t - you should have gotten documentation and then had a 504 plan at school which gives you certain rights. Your GC is being supportive which is nice but if your school is public, there is a 504 coordinator, possibly the principal, who should have been handling this. And, in fact, during your depression you should have received accommodations that might have prevented your current situation entirely. (504 plans are part of the Americans with Disabilities Act through the Federal Dept of Education, Office for Civil Rights, and you can also call them.)</p>

<p>It is possible that legally your slate should have been wiped clean, so to speak, but I don’t know if you can do that retroactively. “Medical withdrawal” and “W” should perhaps not be on your transcript at all if it was for a documented disability. You should have had excused absences, extensions, incompletes, postponements and even tutoring if you were unable to do your work due to disability.</p>

<p>You cannot approach a medical problem informally, however, and expect things to be fixed after the fact, so maybe you have to leave this aside and just move forward. I don’t really know to be honest. You could, I suppose, consult an advocate or even spend $150 on an hour with a lawyer who specializes in educational issues.</p>

<p>What do you WANT to do? I would say don’t do things according to what you think colleges want. Do what you want to do, what interests you and helps you move forward. Just my personal opinion. Do you feel that you missed a lot in the courses you didn’t do well in, and have an urge to go back and do it right? Or do you want new learning? Many of us have kids who did not do the expected “rigorous schedule” or even the required science or math and still did fine with admissions when a reason was given, such as an absorbing EC like yours. Colleges love outliers. Don’t be too paranoid about your “mental illness”: the halls of Harvard are full of young people with depression, anxiety and other issues. But don’t be confessional either. I know a young man who missed senior year, did CC and an outward bound program, and just got into every single (selective) college he applied to.</p>

<p>Make sure you visit the disabilities office if you have documentation, once on campus, and check in with the health center. You may have had a situational, one time only depression but that is not that likely. You can do fine with depression if you stay on top of it. Many accomplished people have the same medical problem.</p>

<p>One other thing: you could call an admissions office at one of the schools you want to go to, and ask them directly which path would most benefit your application. You could possibly do this anonymously but I think a meeting in person would show real interest, establish a relationship, and give you some answers. You are not obligated to reveal anything and can focus on cleaning up your transcript, but I kind of think that for your mental health, it might be healing to meet with someone and discuss it openly.</p>

<p>I think schools much prefer students who have already had a problem and know how to deal with it, frankly. But get a psychiatrist involved or a professional who can advocate and support you. Good luck, you will be fine. You are an impressive candidate with obvious intelligence, work ethic, EC, and a life experience that has presumably deepened your character and shown an ability to overcome obstacles. The latter two things are high on the list of criteria for many top schools but more importantly will stand you in good stead as you make this big transition.</p>

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<p>@CTTC, yes, my GC did refer me to several practitioners/therapists who specialize in depression and anxiety, but my mom never took me. My pediatrician was able to write me a medical note to “withdraw” me from the class, but it didn’t specify whether the illness was mental or physical. I have passed all of my AP exams from freshman to sophomore year, one 3, two 4s, two 5s. It isn’t stellar, but this year for my 6 exams I actually feel very confident (more so than previous years). Thank you :)</p>

<p>@ClassicRockerDad‌ and @gouf78, that’s what I was thinking about doing. I am aware schools are also afraid of liability issues nowadays, what with shootings and suicides. Thank you for the advice! </p>

<p>@compmom, my mom struggles with mental health herself, so communication was difficult during my period of depression. I like your idea of calling up the admissions office, I didn’t know they bothered making time to meet with students! Thank you for your helpful response. I’ve just always thought about mental illness as “if Harvard had to choose between a candidate with these grade abnormalities and a mental illness, and a candidate with a flawless record, why wouldn’t they go for the flawless one?” One question, what would be the benefits of getting a psychiatrist involved? Does a professional need to do the explaining for the grade drops, or is my GC sufficient? </p>

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<p>OP- the issue that folks are tactfully trying to tell is not that you need an MD to write a note explaining the drop in grades- you need an MD or another mental health practitioner (who is not your guidance counselor) to help you FOR YOU AND NOT FOR COLLEGE.</p>

<p>If you’ve got a family history of depression or other mood disorders, it’s fantastic that you’ve recovered without therapy and meds- but you can’t assume that you are now healthy forever. It’s not like mumps where you get immunity once you’ve had it.</p>

<p>Take a step back and take three deep breaths. </p>

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<p>You don’t need to reveal anything to colleges and your GC should only mention a "medical issue,’ unless you want him or her to say more. You need a psychiatrist, though, to access accommodations at your high school and at college. Do you have a therapist? You should have both a therapist and psychiatrist in your corner, especially if your parent is struggling as well. I have to go but have more to say.I will PM you later.</p>

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<p>I really can’t see you getting admission to these colleges with 2 F’s and a D on your transcripts. I might be wrong but I really don’t think it is going to happen. It isn’t the gpa thing, it is the Fs. Maybe one D would squeak by with cause. That is why I’d replace the grades. Yes, I would include an explanation that you had to replace the grades due to serious family issues that caused you to not be able to do your usual level of work. Then you can report the AP scores and that will give reassurance. You will have trouble getting into your backup or a state school with those Fs and D on your transcript, so I’d take care of it so you at least have another option than community college. To me AP stat is nothing in the scheme of the larger problem. Forget AP stat. </p>

<p>There is no MD, diagnosis or treatment here. There is no ‘mental illness’ situation. There was a family problem and that’s it. I would stick to stress and anguish due to extreme turmoil at home that caused you to be unable to do your usual work. Mention your mother is bipolar fine. Even if your GC would be willing to say mental illness I wouldn’t do it–it’s not truthful and it doesn’t help you. Also mental illness is worse than saying depression, mental illness could be paranoid schizophrenia for instance.</p>

<p>And please, if you still after all haven’t seen a Dr do so to establish a connection and discuss the problem. I hope this all works out well for you. It sounds like getting away to college will be helpful.</p>

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<p>Will the semester grades actually be on the final transcript or just a final annual grade?</p>

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<p>BrownParent, have you read the entire thread? There was in fact an MD, a diagnosis, and treatment. So this is a medical issue, not a “family problem.” End of story.</p>

<p>OP, I have some personal experience here as a parent of a child who went through something similar. We were advised not to go into any detail on the application and to pick another topic for the personal essay. The GC wrote a note to the colleges advising that the child had to withdraw for medical reasons, but recuperated at home and was able to return to school and complete studies.</p>

<p>The colleges will see mental illness as a “red flag,” and even if they’re not supposed to you can’t count on them consciously or unconsciously using that as a reason to pick someone else with similar stats. The colleges you are aiming for are so selective that even the smallest detail can make a difference. </p>

<p>The laws protect you against disclosure of medical information, and your school should respect that. I see no reason to go into your mother’s mental illness, especially without her permission.</p>

<p>We were told that the phrase “recuperated at home” was important because it signals to the AdCom that you did not have a condition that required hospitalization/rehab.</p>

<p>We followed this advice and my child was admitted ED to child’s first choice, a highly selective college. PM me and I can give you more info. I also have some experience with other colleges on your list with respect to mental health after admission.</p>

<p>Thanks, and good luck.</p>

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<p>@BrownParent‌, so you think the other points of my application that have been consistently strong (ECs, standardized test scores, teacher recs, etc.) are not going to help my chances if I show the grade anomalies? Your evaluation of the situation is not entirely accurate, but thank you for your opinion, it helps!</p>

<p>@gouf78, yes the semester grades show up individually, so my transcript will show both the grade drops and grade recovery. </p>

<p>@LurkerDad‌, I can see what you are saying about disclosing family issues like my mom’s mental condition, and I agree completely. Thank you for the advice, I will PM you! </p>

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<p>This is probably what BrownParent was referring to when she said there was no MD diagnosis. The OP didn’t go to a therapist or psychologist, much less a psychiatrist for a diagnosis- her mom never took her to the ones her GC recommended. And her pediatrician just wrote a note to get out of the classes, but didn’t even say the illness was. It doesn’t appear that the OP has had an official diagnosis of her condition. Am I wrong, 5minutes?</p>

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<p>I think Lurker Dad has some great advice and experience. I also have some experience and feel your prospects are still very hopeful, but get yourself some help in person! You deserve it.</p>

<p>Rereading, I think it would help to retake the failed classes, show you can do well, fix your GPA and clean your transcript. An advocate could get the “in progress” removed, perhaps, but that depends on adequate documentation of the illness. Regardless, just want to add that taking the classes over seems like the best course…</p>

<p>Keep your spirits up. Many many kids go through this and end up on a campus they love. It WILL work out but get yourself the supports you need if you can.</p>

<p>Hope your mom is doing better too…</p>

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<p>@moonchild‌, yes, I never got a chance to go to an MD and my GC (who is qualified in Psychology/training) did the diagnosing/counseling, but a practitioner would have obviously been a better choice had my mom taken me. </p>

<p>@compmom, so would colleges not be suspicious of that fact I am repeating courses that I did well on the AP exam for, and that I rebounded grade-wise during the 2nd half? This was @calmom’s concern that I saw a lot of logic in. I have 1-2 days left to decide, I’m still wavering between repeating or moving on and continuing with other rigorous courses. Regardless, thank you for your kind words! </p>

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<p>What is your year-end grade in those courses?</p>

<p>How do course credits work at your high school? Are you getting full credit for completion of the two classes where you had F’s the first semester – or only being awarded partial credit?</p>

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<p>I see both points of view. But the F’s and D will raise questions anyway. And retaking shows a work ethic and effort to go back and do things right. I really do think you could call an admissions office and ask them. This situation is NOT unusual. I would also hope you GC could offer a real opinion or even call for you.</p>

<p>Do you drive or are you close to transportation? Are you saying that your school guidance counselor did the diagnosing and counseling? What is the diagnosis? Do you think you had an episode of depression, or bipolar 2, or a situational period of blues? Are you on meds? The GC cannot prescribe. Colleges will be able to see that you recovered, based on your performance, but they may also want to know you are being treated for whatever ails you. It isn’t necessarily that they wouldn’t choose you, but they may not want to risk giving a spot that someone else might benefit from, if there is any danger you are not recovered or in treatment at least.</p>

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<p>@calmom, I have all As in my classes for this second semester, I am not awarded credit for my Fs but I do not have a credit deficiency in any subject. Would it still be beneficial to repeat the courses? At this point, the reasons I have for repeating the courses would be to receive credit and raise my GPA, to show colleges I am determined to make things “right”. However, I will be sacrificing more intellectually stimulating classes to repeat these classes that I’ve already become proficient in.</p>

<p>@compmom, my mom never let me learn to drive, and I live in a suburban area with minimal public transportation. She diagnosed me with clinical depression and anxiety, but I am not on meds. She referred my mom and I to several therapists who specialize in depression for treatment, but my mom never took me, so I basically had to cooperate with my mom and myself to change our family situation and mental health. And I would say it has been quite successful, but I am aware I am liable to relapse at any time. </p>

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I’m sorry, but I am very confused by this. </p>

<p>It might be because of different ways of counting credits at different high schools. Do you mean to say that you don’t have a “course” deficiency rather than a “credit” deficiency?</p>

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<p>Therapists do not prescribe meds. A primary care doctor could, but much better to see a psychiatrist who really knows the meds and side effects. It sounds like you are not under treatment of any kind, which is unfortunate. ON the other hand, if you got better without treatment, it is always possible that the problem was situational. Frankly, time will tell.</p>

<p>The GC can indicate a family situation but I am not sure if a diagnosis by the GC is enough documentation to access services if you have problems in the future while at college. Does your mom have a social worker? To me, your story is very frustrating! But, so far, you are still in pretty good shape for college applications regardless.</p>

<p>Again, I would try to make things right with your previous classes so that you can walk away from high school with a clean slate of sorts (despite the “in progress” which I don’t fully understand). Stats is not an important course and you can easily take it in college: a college class might be suited to a specific purpose such as nursing or social work or political science. American Lit. is a great class too but again, you will read those books in college no doubt and can read them at home. The practice writing papers about literature is valuable though. Do you get that in English Language?</p>

<p>Apply to your dream schools but make sure you apply to a range of selectivity like anyone else.</p>

<p>If you want to talk to a college admissions office, or ask your GC to do so, I don’t think that will sabotage you at all. You need to move forward without feeling a stigma and it seems to me that that contact would help with that. But you have no legal obligation whatsoever to tell anyone anything and that contact can be anonymous if you like.</p>

<p>I am glad you have had the GC for support and counseling. I hope you can set that up at college too. It’s a tough situation and I suspect you take care of your mom at times and worry about her. That’s a lot on your plate.</p>

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<p>Your decision might be easier if you knew your actual AP results were 4/5s (or not). Could your school guidance counselor, on a school line, call the college board, explain, and ask for an early heads up if available?</p>

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<p>I agree with Brownparent. Those schools that the OP has listed have many students who have dealt with devastating illnesses and catastrophes and STILL were able to ace their coursed then. That’s what they are seeking, not someone who could not. The F’s and D’s show that the student was not able to meet the course standards. Better a W for the term, the term repeated with pure Ps perhaps for the year–quarter or semester grades usually do not show up on the transcripts sent to college. </p>

<p>One of my kids’ schools did have a student that I knew well who did withdraw for a year, and had a term with just P’s which is standard procedure for any medical withdrawals. Her issue was also mental illnes, and despite that year, she did get into highly competitive colleges. But there were no repeated courses showing up on her transcript and no low grades as that one bad term was given pure Ps in terms of grades by the school. </p>

<p>How an Admissions Director is going to feel about a student who has a mental illness and is not getting it actively treated and under control, is something that would be a concern, given this is a chronic condition. It’s not a broken leg or a bout with something that has a good possibility of being a one time shot. There are going to be a significant number of mental health issues at any college–that’s pretty much a given, so to admit someone that has the history already rather than chancing that a student may not, is the issue here. Depends on the AD’s feeling about this. Might be someone who is struggling with these issues and sympathetic, or feels that someone already learning to deal with this is a better risk than a student who may/maynot have this issue in the future. That you don’t have family support about this is not good, as colleges are not interested in having to hold the bag on such issues when they arise. </p>

<p>Though I don’t think the most selective schools are going to give this a pass, still give it a try, but do have some more schools on your list where you are at the top of the pool, because this is likely to hurt your admissions chances, yes. Not that you had a bout with mental illness, as I said in my first paragraph, but that the results were so bad when you had it. The top schools want the heroes, the ones who thrived and flourished despite the calamities and disasters. Also, your stats are not way up there anyways, IMO, as a top pick for these school, your EC hook not withstanding. If that is something such schools truly seek, that may make a difference. </p>

<p>I think you should work on getting a lot of the more realistic choices in school on your list rather than gazing at these top name schools and trying to figure a way into them. </p>

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<p>As a mom of a child with bipolar disorder, I want to encourage you and your mother to make sure that you have the proper diagnosis and treatment for any any mood disorder or anxiety that you’re experiencing. Even if you feel like you’re “better” now. A full understanding of the issues you’re dealing with will help you make good decisions and prepare for success not just getting into college but once you get there as well. A guidance counselor can point you to help, but school personnel are very limited in terms of what they can or should do in terms of diagnosis, let alone treatment. I would recommend you take the next step and get professional help to find out what’s really going on and how best to deal with it.</p>

<p>It sounds like you’re a great young person with a wonderful future, regardless of where you ultimately go to college. Don’t let fear of a “label” or reluctance to seek professional/medical help get in the way of that. </p>

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What does “qualified in Psychology/training” mean? Is she licensed to diagnose and provide therapy? If she doesn’t hold a current license to do such, then she shouldn’t be practicing this kind of diagnosis. GCs have counseling training, but I don’t believe they are qualified to diagnose.</p>