I’ve suffered from clinical depression since elementary school, and was diagnosed in my gr.10 summer. Currently I am a junior and have been starting to think about university in the states.
Anyways my grades history are as follows… (Note that I live in Ontario, Canada, and these marks all fall under an A (80-100%).
gr.9: 80.13%
gr.10:88.13%
Gr.11:92.50% (recent term mark)
As you can see my gr.9 and 10 years were just a mess… my gr.9 year especially… I had one subject where I had a mark of 60%…
My gr.10 year was not that great either… with a mix of low 80’s and low 90s…
My gr.11 year however, has been a success for me, after receiving therapy for my condition. I’m currently on a regular dosage of drugs prescribed by my psychologist and its been helping me a lot.
Should I explain to colleges when I apply through an essay, how my condition has affected me through fatigue by insomnia, lack of concentration, etc…
Or would it not help… Would colleges reject me immediately if they know that I have a mental condition, and deem me not fit enough for their college?
Also what range of colleges do you think I have a chance at if I apply based on my grades… Other than that I participate in numerous extracurriculars, I lack a bit in awards, and my SAT practice test for the old one range from the high 1400’s to low 1500’s.
<p>I think you take a large risk by bringing up your depression.</p>
<p>You can explain your early poor performance and your recent excellent performance by saying you were once unfocused and that as you have matured, you understand the importance of education and have developed a strong interest in your schoolwork and learning. If you have a powerful interest in a particular subject, mention that too.</p>
<p>Your SATs are good. </p>
<p>Get a US News College rating book for details on colleges.</p>
<p>If depression is an issue you have, it is important that you take that into consideration when you pick a school, looking at support systems that are offered. Also it is important that you and your family are aware of the treatment options in the area where the school is located. </p>
<p>Depression is not considered a reason to give some one a break on their stats. Actually I have not seen top school give anyone a break on their stats because fo health issues. Brooke Ellison, a quadraplegic who went to Harvard was accepted because of her near perfect academic performance and superb record DESPITE her disabilities. She was certainly right up there with top students. And her issues were quite unusual and very much an imposition to performing well. Those kids I know who have gotten into top schools with a problem, have all done well DESPITE that handicap. I've yet to see anyone explain away blemishes on the record to top school even if the info is understandable. Perhaps a travesty that caused a temporary dip, followed by a great rally would do, but then there is always a student who underwent a similar catastrophe and marshalled through without that dip. That is the student HPY wants.</p>
<p>My grades junior year suffered a LOT from depression. Like, to the point of even getting Cs. I was advised by my guidance counselor NOT to bring up the depression as a factor on my college application, because health offices request that the admissions counselors not admit people who already have conditions, because they have enough to deal with...</p>
<p>I don't know if it's true, but I didn't mention it on my application, and was accepted early decision to Wesleyan University anyway.</p>
<p>Unfortuneately, many people don't know enough about depression, and will maybe make assumption and judgements without knowing you. I think at this point keep it private. With your very strong upward trend, I wouldn't worry. We went to a college night, and an admission director said, that with the exception of the top tier schools, most college take 75% of their applicants. So, while you have recovered admirably, some of the really snooty schools, might not take you due to the earlier grades, there are hundreds and hundreds would take you. And, I have to tell you 80% isn't horrible. Its average, and that's not bad at all. You have done really well, and I think you will have a lot of options next year. Keep on doing what you are doing. What do you want to study?</p>
<p>I think you should tell the schools at least and maybe provide them with more information on the effects of depressions and how you overcome them and trying to improve (and of course it shows that you are improving)... That's what essays are for, i believe... To tell them wad is personal to you... I think for your case depression is personal enough... Cheers... :D</p>
<p>owch, this is a difficult one. I would go with the first few posters and advise against telling them. Big schools may assume you won't be able to take the pressure, medicine or no, and that's a big thing they look for.</p>
<p>as citygirlsmom said - you actually look pretty good as it is. Good luck!</p>
<p>Right now I guess my goal would be to ultimately get into a prestigious Med School in the states. So picking a right undergrad program to attend is crucial for me.</p>
<p>I once read a book about an applicant who applied to Duke with annorexia and was accepted. But I guess it really is a risk to mention it? And I don't really want to use it as an excuse either...</p>
<p>So are the ivies and top tier schools such as Duke out of reach for me?</p>
<p>I don't know. The admission process is so weird these days. I would suggest doing what you are doing. Do what you can to up the SAT scores. Other than that, I think you will find a school that will get you into that med school program will be within your reach. </p>
<p>Don't get stuck in your past record. The admin director told us that if a student had a weak first year or so, but showed a strong upward trend, that was very impressive. It showed the person would be ready for school. So, I think if you keep continuing your trend, you will find the right school. I also suggest maybe finding something really great to do this summer. Something that follows your passion. Don't worry so much and just keep doing your best...you should be very proud of yourself!!!!</p>
<p>I agree with janimom.
1. Above all make sure that the colleges that you're applying to have good counseling and medical centers for your condition. Also make sure that the area has excellent, board certified psychiatrists. This may be hard to find in colleges that are not in large cities. It is vital that you go to a college in an area where there is the mental health support for you. Depression can be fatal. For even students with no history of depression, freshman year can lead to depression because of the new surroundings and the independence that college requires. Thus, make sure that you're going to a place that can handle your situation.</p>
<p>Colleges in and near cities like Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, DC, San Francisco and LA tend to have good mental health services because of the abundance of psychology/psychiatry training facilities and practioners in their areas.</p>
<ol>
<li>I do not suggest that you write your essay about your depression. It would be appropriate, however, for your GC to include info about that in the GC's report. </li>
</ol>
<p>Every college advice book that I have read says that students should not focus their essays on issues like mental health or substance abuse problems. </p>
<p>I know a student who had a serious history of clinical depression, but who got into an excellent LAC, so depression would not rule out your getting college admissions. However, don't expect that your history of depression will cause colleges to excuse poor grades. The student I know had managed to keep their grades up despite having serious depression. </p>
<p>With 1400-1500 scores, you should be able to get into a top 50 college, but don't expect to get into HPYS since your gpa and ECs are not outstanding.</p>
<p>You risk a great deal by mentioning depression. On another thread there was detailed discussion about MIT being sued for thensuicide of a girl with a know history of depression. As you vecome a responsibility for a college, depression could be a major negative. I would be cautious.</p>
<p>If I were you I wouldn't mention it. Since the adcoms only get a mere glimpse into you through your essays, whatever you write will stand out in their brains. If you write about depression, you'll define yourself in their heads as "that depressed dude"; but instead of focusing on what holds you back, wouldn't it be better to focus on what you're good at? Personally I don't think a mood disorder is at all a defining characteristic of anyone's personality; it is suppresses rather than becomes one's personality. So in the only 500 words you have to tell them about yourself, talk not about your disease but about you yourself.</p>
<p>Also, there's sort of a stigma about depression. A lot of people just think of it as so much whining. If you do feel the need to explain your poor marks in grades 9 and 10, I would just state (or talk to your GC and have him state) quite simply that you suffered from debilitating health problems in the early years of your high school career and that you have since recovered. That's completely true but avoids the word "depression," which some adcoms may not like. You don't need to be specific about your medical conditions; it is, after all, highly personal and none of their business.</p>
<p>I was actually going through a similar situation earlier in the year. I left the college I was attending in the fall due to depression, and I was unsure about how to explain this during the application process. After seeking advice here on CC I decided to explain my situation in the section of the applications that asks if there is anything additional that the admissions committee might want to know. I just explained (in a short paragraph) that I left school to be treated and hospitalized for "an illness." </p>
<p>If you want, I would be glad to send you the statement I sent to colleges regarding my depression. It might give you an idea of how someone might explain something like that? (I've been accepted to several schools with good merit aid)</p>
<p>You're doing a great job, I know dealing with depression is tough, you should be proud of your accomplishments. Know that there are great things ahead for you, and it's wonderful that you're not letting your depression hold you back.</p>
<p>If there's anything I can do, please let me know!</p>