<p>Hello ... New to the forum. Interesting discussions here.</p>
<p>Well, here's my story. More than 10 years ago, I started my bachellor's degree in Biology at my local university. Didn't have financial aid at all and the first two years i had a 3.7 gpa. </p>
<p>I have had Tourette's syndrome ever since i can remember, but it wasn't until recently that i have been diagnosed with it...well...that and bipolar disorder.'</p>
<p>Even though i hadn't been officialy diagnosed back then, and had no idea about the bipolar part, it was very obvious to me i had tourette's syndrome...ever since i was a small kid. Tourette is the kind of thing that can be so intense, it causes physical pain, restlessness and in my case...a great deal of insomnia. Because of this and other issues i had at the time i suffered from a massive depression ... the kind where you just do nothing...and so i did nothing, and screwed myself over . This cycle lasted for around 4 years, in which id be on and off from school, but in the end i simply gave up...not even taking the time to withdraw from my enrolled classes and ending up with the stellar amount of 5 F's in my academic record.</p>
<p>Eventually, and at the time without professional help, i got out of that hole. But at the time my academic record was so screwed that i simply thought going back to biology was out of the question. I always enjoyed graphic arts, and so i decided to enroll in the only college around this place that specializes in the graphic arts...the basic first year credits from my university were transferred and eventually, i got my B.A. in graphic arts... graduating with a gpa of 3.65 .</p>
<p>After this, I decided to go get professional help for my Tourette's since it was always burning in the back of my mind that i had to do something about it. I've been under treatment for some time, (woo hoo and i discovered about my bipolarity, good times) and i find myself really focused...only that i have this new goal...and id like to finish what i started long ago...study neurobiology, eventually medicine, and possibly start research and work on Tourette's syndrome, a condition that in my experience, not a whole lot of doctors know about , is not seen as serious as it should be, and hence, there is a lack of resources for. </p>
<p>I have had my sights set on the University of Texas at Austin....I thought since i had a Bachelors degree already i could just apply as a new student for another major..and that my good grades and other extracurricular activities would make me a likely candidate...but after calling i was informed i should apply as a transfer student...</p>
<p>So here's were my auto-inflicted past catches up with me... because if i understand correctly, all of my academic record, including my first years in my university will be accounted for in the GPA they calculate in order to accept transfers. If this is so... those 5 F's will make my Cum Laude 3.6 gpa BA look like peas. I could ask for many letters of recommendation from my professors whom i know could really give faith that i am focused and a great student, but I do not want to kid myself. And i do not believe my condition could hold my record up...cuz i think the world is full of excuses and i'm pretty sure there are a hundred cases like mine, or more.</p>
<p>In any case, my 2 questions would be.</p>
<p>Is there any possibility that you can apply to college as a new student without having to report past degree's or colleges/univerisities?</p>
<p>If not, then does anybody have any sort of experience with similar cases that could realistically tell me what my chances of enrolling at the University of Texas at Austin would be? </p>
<p>Regardless i'm still going to apply...try to make the best out of my essay and purpose statement...try to prove through letters of recommendation and my honors degree that i have reached a level of maturity where my condition is at least under control through treatment and serious work. </p>
<p>But i just want to receive any sort of feedback ... just to keep a reality check.</p>
<p>If you read all the way down here, thanks. =)</p>