Should I mention my mental illness in explaining my academic history? [CC transfer]

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

I’m a California community college transfer applicant. My first two years in college I was at a Cal State and was diagnosed with Bipolar I a month into my first semester. I withdrew from that semester after spending 2 weeks in the hospital, my next semester I got an F, a D-, a D and a C-, my next semester I got an A, B+, B-, and withdrew from one class, and my final semester I medically withdrew again (retroactively).

The next semester I started over at community college. I tried out for the baseball team (quit after high school), got solid grades (2 B’s and an A). My second semester was a little rough because I had to transfer to another school 3 weeks into their semester because I was a last-minute cut from the baseball team, so I transferred, and I also was a little unprepared for the workload of in-season collegiate sport and academics. I managed two C’s and a B.

Last summer I took 3 tough, condensed classes, however, and got 3 A’s. This semester, for what I’d say is really the first time since I left my Cal State after Spring of '17, my bipolar has affected me a bit. Not a total wreck, but I’ve withdrawn from 3 of my 6 classes, and I should be able to pull 3 A’s in the remaining classes, worst case 1 or 2 B’s. I’ve also been on the baseball team and working 20-25 hours a week, so perhaps I got in over my head this semester as well.

I’m applying to the UC’s right now, and there’s a section for additional comments about my academic history. Should I give some context to my history? I’ve heard the general advice is to only mention it if you can demonstrate you have conquered it or beat it to some degree, and even that isn’t a consensus among people. Up until this semester, that may have been an option, but I don’t know if I can really play that card anymore if I’ve had more complications this semester.

So I guess the option is to have an abundance of unexplained W’s and a semester of terrible grades on my transcript, or to explain it and risk… discrimination? I have no idea what to do. I think I can pull off the resilient, won’t let it beat me image, but is it worth it?

2

There will be many differences on this but I would explain it but not in the detail above. Maybe something like you were diagnosed with a bipolar conditions right before college. Your grades at first were affected but with support your were able to get A’s and B’s (stress the positive not the negative). You realized that working 25 hours /week and playing baseball was affecting your performance and you will reduce your outside activities and concentrate on school work but being involved with the school culture.

Do you have to work? I personally give you credit. That is a lot of hours to work plus the commitment of a sport with a new diagnosis. Something tells me if you reduce the working hours… Maybe play intermural men’s softball or the like you would have alot more time for your school work

I’m sure you can rewrite and shorten what I wrote but Yes there some explaining to be done. Maybe ask a counselor for advice at one of the colleges you are applying to?

Good luck.

3

You cannot get discriminated because of your disability or illness, that’s actually illegal per 504 (Americans with Disabilities Act). You should explain the Ws, but you don’t have to say you’re bipolar, you can say personal reasons and not give more detail. Most CCs have a college/career counseling office, you should ask them as well. Good luck, hope things work out.