I have been academically dismissed from two separate colleges. My freshman year I struggled with depression and anxiety, making getting out of bed and doing daily tasks difficult. However, I never went to a professional to be diagnosed, so I do not have anything to back up my statement. I was going to do an appeal, but I did not think they would have approved it due to my absence., so I never did. I then went to a school closer to home, thinking it might have been due to distance but it was about the same severity. During my second semester there I was doing well, but between work and school I got overwhelmed and decided to withdraw from my classes as I needed the money more at that time. Now, I would like to apply for classes again, but not at a community college, as I felt less connected than I did at my university. I would like to know if I do send in my appeals for both colleges, would I have a higher chance of being accepted to a university near me? Be advised I live in Minnesota. Any information to help me in the right direction is much appreciated.
No, most likely your best chance would be for admission to a non-residential program at a community college.
Consider accredited online schools.
Here is a post that I saw on this topic from someone who is on a committee that review these letters:
My committee would consider you a strong case for reinstatement if you can provide:
a) documentation from your health care provider of a diagnosis
b) confirmation from your health care provider that you have been compliant with treatment and your situation has improved so that you are better equipped to handle the stress of college life if/when you return
c) details of how you plan to continue your treatment plan after you return to school
d) details of other campus resources you will use and adjustments you will make after you return to enhance your success
e) some statement of how you know your treatment has improved your situation (e.g. if you have been working during your time away and found it easier to handle the stress and demands as your treatment progressed)
As the parent of a student who withdrew for mental health reasons, I would second all of the above requirements. If you are not currently in treatment, and don’t have a solid plan to continue treatment while on campus, you’re not going to do well. If not a community college, you might do ok at a local directional college - still 4 years, but as a commuter. That would allow you to seek treatment at home, and have an established support system in place, so if you start having trouble again, a close friend or family member can push you to get the help you need.
You’ve made the first step in recognizing the problem. The next step is facing the problem. You’re not going to get different results by attempting to do the same thing over and over. Personally, I would take a part-time schedule the first semester back, to get used to college level classes. If that semester goes well, then a full time semester as a commuter. Only then should you consider whether a residential program makes sense. If you are seeking treatment right now, discuss this with your treatment team. They would be in the best position to advise you appropriately.
You wrote that you had to drop out at least in part because of your job schedule. What is your financial situation like now? Do you have the cash on hand to pay for the full costs of attendance? It is not likely that you would be eligible for financial aid because with so many drops and failed classes you probably don’t meet the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
What job skills and experience do you have? It might make sense for you to look for a job at a university that offers tuition benefits to the employees. You could work full time and take one or two classes at a time until you meet SAP. Then if you wanted to, you could stop working, and just study full time.
I would continue in a local CC. It makes sense from a cost perspective, and the course load will be more conducive to continuing treatment and to working.
An appeal to your first school is likely to fail, since you were never formally diagnosed, time has passed, and you have enrolled in a second college and fared no better. You might have a better chance appealing to your second school, though.