<p>I understand you wanting to protect your sons academic future (been there and done that) however, after you have figured how to do all of that consider keeping him close to home for now. He is very young and since he suffers from both depression, and ADHD it sounds like he needs to get on the right meds, and work with the right therapist. His academic history will not mean anything if your son is not emotionally healthy. All the advice in the world won’t mean anything…just go with what your heart is telling you to do to protect your son from himself right now, and everything else will come when the time is right. I know this sounds obvious but sometimes we get so wrapped up in how things effect our kids future that we sometimes don’t see the present as being the most important time in their life. As far as getting this semester wiped off of his academic record…do whatever it takes to get the grades removed but seriously consider if you should send this kid back to school in his current state. It just seems too risky right now. He has plenty of time in his life for academics and he is so young…years from now it won’t matter if he graduated at 21 or 25.</p>
<p>Thank you all, if I could hug each of you, I would.</p>
<p>Well he saw the Dean yesterday and it looks like he’ll be able to replace the F with an I.
Thanks again everyone, he seems to be doing very well.
:)</p>
<p>Wanted to give you an update. What a difference almost a year can make! My son is doing great. He contested the F and ended up with a B and got hired recently as an assistant to the same proff.! Who would’ve believed it? He’s making good grades and will graduate in may. Most importantly, he is happy and healthy! Thanks for all the support!</p>
<p>wonderful news</p>
<p>Agree, you should be able to get a retroactive medical withdrawal. Sometimes colleges have an assigned dean he would speak to (“association dean”), but start by contacting the Dean of Students. Your son’s psychiatrist should be able to provide documentation that will allow the Medical Withdrawal. You sometimes have a certain amount of time that this can be done in order to be retroactive, so contact the dean on Mon.</p>
<p>I’m very sorry and hope your son gets a full evaluation by a psychiatrist. He may need medications to help with the severe depression as well as counseling. Don’t allow him to head right back to school in the fall if he’s not yet ready. His health is the most important thing right now. His transcript is secondary although I understand the concern, and if there’s a way to “fix” it, then of course try to find ways to do that. But right now, focus on him getting help and getting a retroactive Medical Withdrawal.</p>
<p>I finally read through the 4th page of this thread and saw that this post was over a year old! </p>
<p>I am so happy to read your update from yesterday and I’m sure if gives a lot of parents hope. Best to you and your son!</p>
<p>Hello, I haven’t read through all the posts, but wanted to give my thoughts. My heart goes out to you as well. I have severe bipolar disorder and OCD. I had <em>several semesters</em> of failing grades. My academic advisor helped me put together a binder of medical documentation–my ECT doctor, psychiatrist, therapist, intensive out/pt therapist, every kind of therapist! She said not to be too hopeful about it. We are talking like four semesters of failing grades. But it worked! So now I have a lot of Ws, but I managed to somehow get into three graduate schools with a scholarship at a very prestigious one. Things get better. I’d suggest looking into your son’s school’s policies. You might want to meet with the disability office or his academic advisor. It can be done. I do agree that you have to be super-concerned with the suicide attempt and make sure you fix that before you focus on the rest of college or college won’t work. It’s a one day at a time kind of thing that’s really hard for high achieving kids to go through. And it never helps to have a hard break up to catalyze this kind of reaction. I hope that things are better for you and your family.</p>
<p>UPDATE:
Son has graduated, loans were forgiven. Got a job 2 weeks ago and will move out into an apt. with 2 other friends in May. No more signs of that sort of behavior, although he regrets a lot about his education experience. So take heart, anyone reading this in a simular situation, there is hope! :)</p>
<p>It’s so nice of you to come back and let us know. What good news for him and inspiration for others.</p>
<p>Oopsie! Didn’t see the date of the OP.</p>
<p>Glad to hear things worked out.</p>