<p>I know this is going to sound really pathetic to some of you, but I'll continue...</p>
<p>I'm a junior in high school with a severe case of bipolar disorder. In fact, I've had two nervous breakdowns throughout junior year, and my grades have plummeted and now I'm on homebound schooling. The administration now makes me take regular courses, with the promise that I can take the AP exams and self-study for them if I so choose. </p>
<p>I was doing so well in school until my mental problems started to take a strong hold on me. Now it seems that the only best fitting choice for me regarding college would be to attend a state university.</p>
<p>I happen to live in Texas. And I do want to be a lawyer (I sure hope I can be a lawyer, provided that I can overcome my disorder) and someday attend Yale Law School.</p>
<p>Does it matter where I go for undergraduate school? It's either the University of Texas at Austin (admission rate: 51%) or the University of Texas at San Antonio (admission rate: 91%). I'm sure that no matter where I go, I'll enroll in the honors program and try my best to maintain a great GPA. </p>
<p>Is it ever to late to transfer to another college during undergraduate school?</p>
<p>Thanks, if anyone can give me some good advice.</p>
<p>The Univ. of Texas at Austin is a very well respected and elite national university. Law school admissions is mostly concerned with your LSAT score and GPA. A degree from the Univ. of Texas will not harm you and it may help.</p>
<p>Re transferring to another school, generally has to be after freshmen year or after sophomore year. Some schools do take mid year transfers in the middle of sophomore year too, just depends on the school.</p>
<p>I think UT is a fine option, even better if it's the honors program. </p>
<p>Depending on your situation though, I wouldn't necessarily count out other schools that you want to attend. If your health situation stabilizes and your grades come back up, you and your high school counselor can offer an explanation (if you want to) of what happened this year. It may not help but it probably won't hurt. </p>
<p>I know someone who had a serious health problem junior year, missed a lot of school but got it under control by the end of junior year. This person had great grades before junior year and great grades after junior year and went on to attend Stanford. </p>
<p>Obviously, you and everyone else for that matter need to have a "safety" school but I'm not sure your situation prohibits you from applying to other schools. I think it depends on the rest of this year, how you are feeling and how well you are doing in school.</p>
<p>Whatever happens, don't be ashamed or feel somewhat "less than" if you go to your state university. Lots of kids go to great law schools, and other graduate programs, from state universities. And state universities offer great educations too.</p>
<p>I would really love to attend Stanford for undergraduate school. Either Stanford or Rice. But my parents aren't willing to let me go due to my condition. I can understand where they're coming from, but I don't know what it will take for me to prove to them that provided that I do perform better in school, my options should be broadened.</p>
<p>I wonder though. I mean, I'd like to apply to other schools, but wouldn't the fact that I dropped from an advanced workload to a standard, regular workload hurt me immensely? This is why I feel confined to attend either UTSA or UT at Austin.</p>
<p>And my parents are the type who want me to stay in close distances to them. They'd rather I live with them during college. So they're pretty adamant on my attending UTSA and they keep telling me that UTSA and UT are essentially the same thing, but are at different places. Nothing changes their mind, I guess.</p>
<p>Speaking as a parent, I'm sure that your parents have your best interests at heart. During my freshman year in college, I had some issues and I was about 10 hours drive away from home. I know that my parents were worried about me and were frustrated that it was difficult for them to either come see me or for me to go home other than on vacations. I am sure that your parents are trying to figure out what situation might be best for you in the short term. Once you're back on track and they feel comfortable that you are handling the stresses of college well, perhaps they will be willing to let you go further from home.</p>
<p>So, do your best wherever you land, get great grades, take care of yourself and then transferring may be an option.</p>
<p>First of all, you don't sound pathetic to us at all. </p>
<p>If you have suffered with mental health issues and still are able to enjoy learning and to succeed academically, you have a lot going for yourself. </p>
<p>I think it is great that you are thinking about studying law at Yale someday and there is no reason why you couldn't do that if you continue to do well in high school and college. </p>
<p>It is important, however, to take one thing at a time. Going to the University of Texas, whether at Austin or San Antonio, would be fine if your courses and grades reflect academic excellence. You would be far better off if you focused on making the best of that situation rather than having your eye on transferring. Look for opportunities within your school, distinguish yourself there, take care of yourself mentally and physically.</p>
<p>This couldn't have been easy for anyone in your family. Not for you or for your parents. I am sure they continue to be concerned about you. Even if you KNOW you are doing well, they will continue to be anxious for quite some time. If you are feeling better and in control, enjoy it! Believe it or not, you have plenty of time to accomplish what you want in life.</p>
<p>Thank you, cornell75. I definitely see where you're coming from, and I'll keep your words in mind.</p>
<p>worknprogress, you are very kind, and you are right. I should definitely look towards making the best out of my situation and take one step at a time. Again, thanks for your kindness. Your advice really did give me hope.</p>