messed up on first semester due to mental illness. need to retake classes now, is all hope lost?

Transfer Students
1

essentially I went through some really hard mental issues this entire year. in high school i was a 4.2 student, but my senior year I went through tough stuff, including having 3 close friends of my commit suicide, losing my father, all that. I became so depressed I failed my senior year, got my admission to UCSB revoked because of that, and now had to settle for community college. I was really mad I had to do this, and tried to take as many units as I could (to which i couldnt handle the courseload) and failed 2 of my classes. i have 2 B’s and a C on my transcript. I realized I needed to take my time, and though there is still a hole that hurts, i’ve been going to therapy and helping myself. I’m really dedicated to getting better and just landed my first job, and am determined to do stellar in school (because I’ve done it before.)

But say I want to get into UCLA or Berkeley, so my question is this: if want to get into these schools, say I do really well these upcoming semesters, (say i get straight A’s and then a C and 2 B’s on my overall transcript for when I transfer) and dedicate to doing my best, volunteering, etc, will my first semester grades hinder my application too much? i know I’m probably overthinking this, but will the fact that i needed to retake courses hurt my application? Thanks so much.

2

I don’t have an answer to the technical question you ask. But with all that you’ve gone through, I think you need to take care of your mental health and not force the academic progress. Take a reasonable courseload, and take more time if needed. That is how you will “do stellar in school.” You might or might not end up going to UCLA or Berkeley, but you will go to one of the UCs (or CSU’s if you choose), and that will be fine too. You should work hard, but try to enjoy your life now, as well. And don’t volunteer just to volunteer–use that opportunity to do something that really matters to you (perhaps suicide prevention work?)

3

You should be registered with the disabilities office, and also, if your community college is like yours, you could be meeting with someone weekly at the college, for support and help. Your depression, if diagnosed by a professional, would be considered a “disability” under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I strongly urge you to meet with someone about a medical withdrawal before the semester ends. Do it NOW. Make sure this would mean a clean slate, meaning your grades are wiped clean.

Alternatively, withdraw from the two failed classes and have those grades converted to W’s or, if the college agrees, have them wiped off the slate.

Meet with someone at the college to discuss this. Going forward with a clean slate will help you with a fresh start when you are ready. You will need a mental health professional to document your issues.

There are many ways to go to college these days. Online programs, continuing education and extension programs and adult learner programs all allow you to take one or two classes at a time (two for federal and state aid).

You may want to lower your expectations in terms of admission, because of your senior year in high school. Did anyone treat you, did you have accommodations at high school? It sounds like you were underserved.

You can certainly explain what happened when you apply, and the rest of your record before that is excellent obviously. But I think you need a space of time to get treated (are you on meds?), maybe do something interesting or do really really well in classes, or hold a full time job, that will show colleges you are up to the job. And you may not be yet.

There are many great colleges you could go to, once ready.

I don’t know your financial situation but look into NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). It has helped many I know in your situation. It is a wilderness school.

I personally know kids with your kind of story who ended up thriving in college. Right now the priorities are to help your mental health and also to keep your academic transcript as clean as you can.

It WILL work out, even if not the exact path you wanted.

ps Please do NOT volunteer for a suicide prevention program. You are nowhere near ready for that, the losses of your friends are too recent, and you are depressed yourself. This is a dangerous idea.