I don’t really feel like writing this one out so I’m going to copy it from my other posts.
"Just another thread about admissions in ivy leagues blah blah blah. Anyway, my parents are divorced and both with pretty low income. I made a visit to UPenn a month ago and talked to them about my situation, and they said that I could get a ton of money in grants if I get in. Well, lets just say I’m only applying to save my parents money and ease their consciences. I am a very DEmotivated student (depression, anxiety, multiple suicide attempts, etc) who is not involved in almost anything in school, and I pretty much accept it. I’m still trying to get into UPenn to make them happy.
Quick Stats:
32 act Comp (32 English, 29 math, 33 reading, 35 science)
Act writing: 12
GPA: 4.65 w 4.0 uw
Currently doing a biomechanics research project with a KU professor on avian flight
And some other clubs
I just wanna know my chances for this school.
Honestly if it’s like a 3% chance of me making it so be it. Just don’t wanna disappoint my parents anymore as silly as that sounds.
I will apply and pay the $75 fee, but I know if I don’t get in the bottleneck will be ACT comp, extracurriculars, and/or my pretty negative view on life.
In the case, you were accepted, please don’t go. Please search stories on the web for the ivy schools turn bright, happy students into moody, depressed persons. This will make your “depression, anxiety, multiple suicide attempts, etc” ten times worse. Don’t feel guilty for your parents’ own issues. You have your own life to discover and enjoy. Only if you are truly happy, maybe one day your parents would be happy.
If you’re depressed and unmotivated, why go to college? Why not take a gap year or two, and work on your mental health? You can get a job, figure out where you want your life to go, and then start thinking of how to get there.
Thanks for replying man. I see what you mean, that’s why I was hesitant to apply at first but I’m over it now. Thing is,school doesn’t stress me at all, it’s usually the people that pose a problem. But it’s not their fault, it’s mine for the way I take it. Thanks again for the input man
I’m glad that school doesn’t stress you. But “the people” are everywhere. You’re going to have to learn to deal with them in order to live the happy, productive life you deserve.
I was but I stopped due to financial constraints. And to be honest, after 13 sessions I didn’t really see a change. It’s mostly due to my stubbornness to learn.
I guess I can’t make it if I have no leadership, which I don’t really. I have maybe one leadership position in the club I’m in. That’s basically it. Thank you so much for checking back on this forum, it means a lot.
If, after 13 sessions, it didn’t help, all that meant was that you weren’t seeing the right therapist. Find one covered under your parent’s medical insurance— my daughter’s therapist costs us only a $25 copay per session–way than the price of a trip to McDonalds for my family.
You’re obviously bright. I have no idea of the odds of that or any other school, so I’m not trying to discourage you. But I am concerned about your mental health. It’s every bit as important as your physical health, and I would be equally concerned if you stated that your blood sugar levels were 400. (Typical is in the 100-200 range, says the wife of a diabetic.) “Multiple suicide threats” screams to me that college is not your highest priority; your mental health is.
You’re still in high school, right? Why not make an appointment with your guidance counselor tomorrow? (And, before you even say it, with any other guidance counselor in the school if you hate yours. They can’t all be bad.) If you wouldn’t know what to say, simply print up the OP for this thread, as well as the others you’ve quoted, and show them.
I’m concerned. And I’m an a mom, a teacher, who has been around enough teens over the years to be pretty sure I’m right to be concerned. I’m not being alarmist, but I think you need help.
How about doing it tomorrow, and checking back in tomorrow night?
OK, I’m toast and I’m going to bed. Speak to someone in guidance, and let me know tomorrow how it goes, OK?
Wow. I don’t really know what to say but thank you. I will try to see a counselor tomorrow and hopefully we can get something worked out. Thank you so much and have a good night!
I would make it a priority to focus on you mental health and well being. I would not take on any high powered college unless you are both highly motivated and free of significant mental health issues.
Mental health should be tour priority.
You cannot go to college if you’re in such a horrible state of mind. Treatment exists and talking can help to if you find the right therapist.
Depression creates demotivation… It becomes hard to wake up every day. Nothing is interesting and everything is too hard, too much to bear, to difficult to handle.
Once you’ll feel better, your motivation will return.
Where else are you thinking of applying? Or are you unable to think that far?
If your parents insist you apply to a top college, apply to Brown, which is more laid back than Penn. Other colleges meet need without being pressure cookers - what about Colby? Skidmore?
Sure your odds are low but there’s a possibility your depression makes you see your record as less strong than it really is.
Thank you so much for all the support, you don’t know just how much I appreciate all of it. You are all right, one of the worst possible things to do in my situation is to apply to a hypercompetitive school of which even if I were to get in (prob <3% chance) I would be miserable at. Thank you bjkmom, MYOS1634, renaissancedad, and everybody else. Even though I don’t know you guys in person, you’re all so kind.
I might just go to a community college to ease the financial burden more that going to a state university. Thank you guys
Actually, you don’t have to go to community college for financial reasons - if you’re lower income, attending a top college is likely cheaper for you than a community college, because as a transfer you’ll get lousy aid and community college still requires tuition whereas if you get into, say, Brown or Colby or Carleton, you may end up with enough financial aid to cover tuition and food and/or housing, and since you’d be living on campus
The options aren’t Penn OR community college, there are literally thousands of colleges in between these two. Get a Fiske Guide or Princeton review’s best colleges, run the NPC on all of those you find interesting, and come back here to discuss your list.
Please do get help for your mental health.
Yeah sorry I didn’t mean to imply that my only choices were penn or cc but I just phrased it that way.
I’ve been getting help for about 4 years now, medication and therapy both.
Also, I will look at that list.
Please update us and keep in touch. And don’t sell yourself short. I’m sure you have a lot to offer, but right now your safety, health and well-being should be your top priorities.
