Transferring and depression?? ):

College Search & Selection Community Colleges
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<p>I feel really low about my school transfer prospects. </p>

<p>I know I will maintain at least a 3.5 GPA (currently 4.0), I am currently in my second semester, and I am signed up for Fall 2014. I just decided what I want to major in, I want to double major in History and Computer Science, and do some study abroad. The only extra curric. I have is violin since grade school. My SAT scores are low, in the 1500's, but then again I took them during high school and I wasn't too focused. I am considering retaking them. During senior year and beginning of community college I experienced a tragedy of sorts and it really messed me up, I didn't even apply to colleges other than community.</p>

<p>I am feeling depressed because I don't know what to make of my transfer prospects. There are places I wish I could get into by Fall 2014, but I don't think I am ready due to my SAT score and lack of extra currics. I want to leave where I am as soon as possible and go away to college, I am not satisfied with where I am right now...</p>

<p>Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do? I am planning to do a volunteer program in South Africa this summer, but that is mostly just for my enjoyment. I have some web-related projects I am working on that I am thinking I could use as extra curricular to support my case of wanting to major in Computer Science. </p>

<p>I want to get into Fordham, it is my top choice, but with my current status I think it would be better to wait until Spring 2015. I don't think it would be wise to try and transfer for 2014 this late. </p>

<p>Does anyone recommend I wait another semester, or should I try to find somewhere with a high acceptance rate and transfer there for Fall? </p>

<p>I am not sure how to cope with this, I want to be out of here so badly. I feel disappointed in myself for not acting different during high school, but I was suffering from something the majority of my high school career which contributed to setting me back.</p>

<p>I feel like I got into the college-game later in life than everyone else. I'm only just beginning to research colleges, know what I want, and understand terms like Ivy or reach school. I'm so disgusted and disappointed in myself for not looking towards my future.</p>

<p>Does anybody have any recommendations for what I should do? Or at least coping methods? Words of advice? I feel so down about myself right now...all I can do is focus on my studies but I feel sort of lost and hopeless. /:</p>

<p>Thank you to anyone who reads/responds.</p>

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<p>There really is no point in taking the SAT again. Most colleges don’t require them of transfer students. Fordham does not require the SAT’s from transfer students with 1 year of college coursework (or 30 units). Do you have a transfer club at your CC? If so, you should join. You will find support and guidance as you go through the transfer process (and will be able to address your concerns about your extracurriculars). Another alternative is to talk with advisers/guidance counselors and discuss whether you should wait another year. </p>

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<p>There are opportunities for you. What do you want out of the time you will give into your degree? I say write all of it down and find a college that fits your needs. Also, look into NAMI and Active minds, most college have one of those clubs and maybe go to a couple therapy sessions. I battle depression by having goals and writing them down regularly and doing something I love everyday. Everyday, you have to work toward those goals in some way! I know the west coast has a list of colleges that offer lower tuition if you would be out of state, maybe the east coast has the same thing “eastern alliance of colleges??”. Maybe you need a change in atmosphere…? I say apply for the soonest possible schools and see if you get in. I think most transfers are depressed in some way, because they want to to get out so badly. I have had some things to distract me from this, so maybe try distracting yourself by becoming more involved on campus or doing activities regularly like outdoor sports. Visit the lower-range schools and see if you would be happy there. The cunys sunys seem likely. I am actually confused why you think you won’t get in to anywhere good. In California, they really only look at your gpa if you are a transfer student. If you attended one meeting for a club in HS, write it down, write it all down! Exaggerate your violin abilities. Which chair were you? Did you get any kind of award? Maybe see a doctor for your depression, because this depression could turn into disappointment when you get to the next school - which is dangerous! Good luck, you can message me if you want! Maybe talk to a school counselor too, but they may not give any advice. In CA, most colleges won’t take you if you have not finished requirements (igetc+60 units). This is why students consider private schools. I say look into some private schools that have your program, that is a starting point too.</p>

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<p>@MLM: Thank you for answering! I was considering retaking the SAT since I don’t yet have 30 credits to transfer, and some of the credits I currently have are from AP classes and a CLEP test and I am not even sure if those would be accepted/allowed to exempt me from showing my SAT scores…I am going to call Fordham transfer admissions and ask a couple questions on that.</p>

<p>That is a goo idea though, I will look into possible clubs on school that will help with transfer! I don’t know that there are any from what I’ve seen, but I will make an appointment with an adviser to see what there is and my options…</p>

<p>@ccnube: Thank you also so much for answering! It really helped a lot. I want to pursue those degrees because they are the subjects I love most enough to want to work for them in school and spend the money on, and I have a few ideas for what I’d want to do for a career/graduate school after I finish my undergraduate studies…</p>

<p>Thank you for all those suggestions and questions I should ask myself. I do really want to get out badly. I like the idea of making progress towards goals each day, that would probably help me feel like I’m actually doing something with my life rather than just wasting it at a college I don’t want to be in. I really do feel like I need a change of environment/atmosphere and be in a place I want to be in; when I first started at community college I felt fine because I had absolutely no idea where I wanted to be, and now that I do have some places I’d rather be and programs I want to do, I feel very impatient and disappointed in myself for not understanding what I do now sooner. >_<</p>

<p>Also thank you for your suggestions and input about schools. Most of my worries about why I feel like I wouldn’t get accepted to places I want to be, is because many schools require the SAT score unless you have a certain amount of colleges credits. </p>

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<p>I do a fair amount of academic advising, and I often see young people get overly focused on taking too long, not doing everything exactly the way everyone else is doing it, etc. The fact is, you are YOUNG! You have lots of time ahead of you! Please don’t be disgusted and disappointed in yourself. The fact that you are now figuring out your goals and how to get there is something to be proud of. Sometimes it is hard to be patient when you finally figure out what you want to do, but one semester is not going to make a significant impact on your education or your life. You don’t have to rush. So do your research; most colleges would LOVE to hear from you and answer your questions. People in admissions, advising, and counseling take those jobs because they like to help students. And colleges will be very impressed by someone who has turned things around and is now determined to meet their goals. Don’t be so down on yourself; a rocky start will eventually be meaningless if you work hard. I promise!</p>