Need Help With A Difficult Situation

Parents Forum
1

<p>I suppose I should start my story at the beginning, my senior year of high school. My dad had been seriously ill for my entire life, but his illness became terminal half way through my senior year. I became severely depressed and this caused a slight drop in my GPA. I wanted to attend a large college that was far away, but my parents wouldn't allow this due to distance concerns, and with their coaxing I applied to many small liberal arts schools that were close to home. Then, in February my dad passed away, after this my depression worsened, I was hospitalized several times and missed almost 50 days of school. While this was going on I elected to attend the College of Wooster, mostly because this was my dad's choice for me.</p>

<p>After a difficult summer, I entered college, thinking my work would keep me occupied and I would be happy. This was not the case. I was miserable and depressed at a school that wasn't right for me. My depression began to affect my academic performance and my social life. After about half of a semester I elected to take a medical leave. After leaving college I was hospitalized on two more occasions. </p>

<p>Since my last hospitalization life has gotten a lot better. I'm starting to become a happy person, I have a job, and I'm planning to attend a local community college this spring to pick up a few credits, but right now I'm not sure what to do about next fall. My mother has given me to ok to apply and attend the college of my choice if I am admitted, but I'm not sure how to explain my situation to admissions officers. Will they see me as a failure because I left school? Will I apply as a freshman or as a transfer? </p>

<p>Any advice would be appreciated,</p>

<p>Amy</p>

2

<p>Others will have more precise advice as to whether you should apply as a freshman or transfer. I would guess that you would explain the situation to the admissions folks and see what they say. Since you didn't earn any credits at Wooster, my guess would be that you would be an entering freshman, but I would talk with the adcoms before applying to make sure they understand the situation.</p>

<p>To explain the situation, just stick to the point. You left college after two months due to your father's death. You attended for a few months but didn't earn any credits. "How should I apply to your college?"</p>

<p>No reasonable person is going to see you as a failure because you couldn't function at capacity a few months after your father's death. I've worked with people in their 40's who were deeply affected by a parent's death. It took months for them to function at capactiy again. Get better, and make sure you're truly ready to be away from home before you go off again.</p>

<p>Good Luck.</p>