Where Can a Bipolar Stident Go To College?

Parents Forum
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<p>I've posted this in two other areas, but one person suggested that I'd get more answers posting in this section: </p>

<p>Here is my situation:</p>

<p>I am a 20 year old, African-American Female, CC student in California. My Aunt and mother are convinced that because I am Severely Emotionally Disabled ( I qualify for SSI, but I chose not to take it for various reasons.....) I could involve myself with the Disabled Services department of an UC ( I am looking at UCLA, UCI, and UCR) and through them because of my Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, I could transfer as a Sophomore. </p>

<p>I don't think that this is possible.But I am definitely going to try! </p>

<p>My High school education was strange and odd. I flunked most of my 1st semester Freshman year because I couldn't concentrate, was taken out of school and given a private teacher (who came to my house.) by the School district for the second semester, in which I did fine. ( A's and B's) Then my parents moved me to a different High School where I flunked almost everything again and had emotional problems besides. Then the school suggested that I be placed in a school for Emotionally Disturbed Children. I kept a 3.2 GPA during the year and a quarter that I was placed in the school. During that time, I was put into a group home. Then I was moved to a Group home where I wasn't put into school for the last quarter of my Junior year. Then I was moved to a different group home which put me in Summer school where I made up the missing credits for my Junior Year. Then I was put into a different group home where I was put into school for Senior year. ( All of these schools were for the Severely Emotionally Disabled.) I was planning to graduate on time, when I was told that I would not graduate for about two more years. I told them that I'd find a way to graduate in June 2002, just as I had alwayts wanted to and then I went to an Adult High School ( I had turned 18 in February) and completed 20 credits in four weeks ( with all A's) to graduate on time. Then my group home threw me out and I went into the California Conservation Corps for a year and into a CC immediately after. </p>

<p>I have completed My English and Foreign Language Requirements for transfer and I have 20 UC/CSU transferrable Quarter Units at this time. My GPA is 2.8.
I want to double major in Creative Writing and Theater with a minor in Dance.</p>

<p>I have no legacies. ( My Father recieved a GED, my Mom is a RN who went to Southwest College in LA and then on to Nursing school.) </p>

<p>All of the colleges that I call ( UCLA, UCR, UCI) aren't giving me the time of day and my GC at the Community College isn't any help with my goal either.</p>

<p>My GC's are:
in High School my EC's were</p>

<p>Colorguard Frosh and Sophomore Years</p>

<p>College EC's ( So far)
100 Hours of Community Service
California Conservation Corps Alumni
Performing Arts League ( Active Performer)</p>

<p>What would be the best course of action for me? </p>

<p>I called CSU San Bernardino and they told me that if I apply now, take my SAT's standby on 1/22/05 and send my Official HS and CC Transcripts, I may be able to get in as a lower division transfer for Spring 2005. I am really gunning for that, as if I don't get in, I'll be pretty bummed out. </p>

<p>How do I prep for the SAT? My Verbal is excellent, but I never got past Geometry in Math in High School or in College ( I've been told that I have a LD in math, where I learn everything easily, but choke for tests and quizzes and end up flunking.) </p>

<p>Does anyone know what kind of SAT score I'll need (along with my combined HS/CC GPA of 3.2) to get into CSU San Bernardino? </p>

<p>I'll be a English-Creative Writing major if I go there.</p>

<p>Please help me get some definitive answers.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

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<p>You are fortunate to live in California, where there are lots of licensed, well trained mental health practitioners.</p>

<p>I'd suggest that you check out the college counseling centers at colleges that interest you. You could do this anonymously by calling and asking how much counseling costs for students, how many sessions students are allowed to have, and whether there are therapists who are experienced in working with students with your diagnosis.</p>

<p>Another option would be to go to college in the area where you now live, and to continue with your current therapist.</p>

<p>This also would be an excellent question to ask your current therapist. If you don't have a therapist now, it would be worth it to see one to get professional advice in your options.</p>

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<p>Here is a link that explains in detail all of the requirements of the UC system for transfers. There are certain course requirements that must be met, either in high school or in college. If you met the requirements in high school, the required GPA is lower than if you meet them in college. I'd say this information would be the first place to start if you want to pursue the UC's.- read the information very, very carefully. No test scores are required of transfers to the UC system as long as they meet these requirements. Unfortunately, I believe you have missed the deadline for applying for next fall. You can double check on this site.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/transfer.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/transfer.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Your GPA is above the minimum required for the UC system but well below the typical average of UC transfers and if you have missed the deadline for next fall, you may have to wait until the winter term to begin - so a cal state may be the best way to go. Check the cal state page for information on other cal states in case San Bernadino doesn't work out:
<a href="http://www.calstate.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.calstate.edu&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I would suggest one of the smaller cal states might be a better fit for you - take a look at cal state Monterrey for instance.</p>

<p>Your community college will have a transfer counseling office that can assist you with these questions and give you some directions. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>Thank you so much for your insight. I will be looking at CSU Monterey closely as a friend of mine ended up going there and seems to get a lot out of it.</p>

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<p>Aviva - I've also heard great things about Monterey. One thing I like is that they have a somewhat different program than any of the other cal states - it's more interdisciplinary and career focused and allows you to get some real hands on experience in your major. It could be a very good option for you if they have a program you are interested in. <a href="http://www.csumb.edu%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.csumb.edu&lt;/a> is the link.</p>

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<p>Aviva - I just checked for you - they do have a creative writing concentration (and lots of other interesting writing-related possibilities as well) - see this link:
<a href="http://csumb.edu/academic/descriptions/hcom.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://csumb.edu/academic/descriptions/hcom.html&lt;/a> They also offer dance classes through their music and performing arts division. It appears that they are will accept applications from transfers 60 or more credits for the fall semester until May 1.
No SAT required as a transfer and you are way above the minimum GPA for transfers.</p>

<p>And here's a link to the office of disability resources. The name of the disability resource counselor and other contacts appears here - you might want to give them a call directly to discuss your needs. Good luck!</p>

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<p>Whoops, I forgot the last link: <a href="http://sdr.csumb.edu/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://sdr.csumb.edu/&lt;/a>
Here's a link to their counseling services. However, I think I'd start with the office of disability support (above) first. <a href="http://pgcc.csumb.edu/counseling/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://pgcc.csumb.edu/counseling/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Aviva, go to this web site. <a href="http://enrollment.csusb.edu/EligibilityIndexTable.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://enrollment.csusb.edu/EligibilityIndexTable.html&lt;/a>
It will tell you what SAT score you need for each gpa at San Bernardino.
If you high school gpa is above 3.0, you don't need a SAT score for CSU Monterey.
<a href="http://csumb.edu/info/admissions/transfer.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://csumb.edu/info/admissions/transfer.html&lt;/a>
On this web site on the left side of the page you can click on Pre-Admissions Counseling. You can also e-mail the school and ask any questions at <a href="mailto:moreinfo-pac@csumb.edu">moreinfo-pac@csumb.edu</a></p>

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<p>Thanks for the correction about SAT scores Dstark. Admission to the cal states is unbelievably complicated to dig through, so I can understand why Aviva is confused.</p>

<p>Aviva, when you go to the disability site at monterey bay, look at the handbook - they discuss the kind of accomodations students with psychiatric disorders, including bipolar - can receive in detail.</p>

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<p>It is unbelievably complicated. I don't think my kids would ever dig through this mess.</p>

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<p>It really is a shame. And, I'm particularly frustrated because the UC admissions page has recently been "rewritten" and it is now even more difficult to find details there.</p>

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<p>Thanks to you all. Unfortunately, I won't be able to transfer at this time because I am missing the mandatory third year of Mathematics that the CSU requires. ( Unless by magic, I make it up in a month!)</p>

<p>I guess that it's back to the Community College for me for the time being......
My Aunt and mother have been told this ( after their calls to about six different colleges both UC and CSU) and they started screaming at me. I think that I understand why they are acting in this way. Some parents who couldn't achive their dreams when they were younger seem to take it out on their kids/nieces and nephews/Grandchildren.( I know that my Mom couldn't get into UCLA and she's likes to remind me that it's a UC or nothing.......and Community Colleges are for losers.....)
It's sad but true. I guess that I'll get to a 4-year college eventually, but not right now. As much as this hurts, I'll get over it in time.</p>

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<p>Aviva, I went from a junior college to a UC. It can be done. Keep up your grades. Community colleges are not for losers. There was a kid with close to a 1600 SAT score in one of my junior college classes.</p>

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<p>Aviva:</p>

<p>I know of a woman who went to SFCC for two years, transferred to Berkeley and went on to med school. Clearly, the two med schools that accepted her did not believe that cc's were for losers. Perhaps you could take the math class at the cc, and transfer in spring?</p>

<p>Good luck to you.</p>

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<p>Based on your last post, I think you need to take a more independent approach to your education/life and stop depending so much on what your mom and aunt think/say. You're 20 years old now, so there's nothing keeping you from doing what you want to do with your life. You might want to put a little distance between yourself and your mom's mouth. :) JHMO.... </p>

<p>Is your Mom financing your education? And she'll only pay for a UC? I guess you'll need to take the math course. Don't let yourself slip into a funk because you haven't yet met the requirements. You shouldn't have gotten excited about transferring without having checked the requirements for the transfer. It sounds like you now know what needs to be done....right?</p>

<p>You should definitely seek advice from your therapist about your college plans. I'm sure there's a concern about keeping your stress level low. </p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

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<p>Many people in my community go to CC for 2 years just to save some money. The CC in my town also has automatic admission to the nearest UC if you have a 3.0 or better. Maybe you could pick your CC on this basis as well? find the ones that feed to UCLA (my guess is Santa Monica would.)</p>

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<p>Thanks to you all. Unfortunately, I won't be able to transfer at this time because I am missing the mandatory third year of Mathematics that the CSU requires. ( Unless by magic, I make it up in a month!)</p>

<br>


<br>

<p>OK, so you won't be transferring for the SPRING semester but NOW is the time to apply for the fall semester while you finish up the math requirement. I'd suggest you still make an appointment with Bakersfield orMonterrey Bay to discuss transferring and submit your application NOW. Otherwise, fall will roll around and you won't be any closer to your goals.</p>

<p>If you are still set on a UC, did you know that UC Riverside has one of the best creative writing programs in the UC system? You might want to contact them about the deadline for applying for the next open semester. They also will give you until the time you enrol to complete the math requirements.</p>

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<p>Carolyn
I went to the CSUM disability site and read the handbook. So informative!
I will try for fall 2005 acceptance. I actually have to take two classes to get to the point of finishing the math requirement. This gives me enough time. In the meanwhile, I'll apply and get my transcripts to send. </p>

<p>I noticed that UCR has exactly the major that I want. :)</p>

<p>Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts</p>

<p>If I don't get into a CSU, I'll do the two years at a CC and get a TAG ( Transfer Admission Agreement) and transfer over there!</p>

<p>Either way, everything will be fine.</p>

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<p>That's the spirit Aviva. I've decided that life sometimes moves slowly because fate is positioning you in the right place, at the right time for something bigger. Best of luck to you - come back and visit here on CC often.</p>

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<p>Aviva: </p>

<p>I cannot offer any substantive advice which is better than the advice which has already been given. I just want to offer support and encouragement as a fellow 20 yr-old BPer, and "English type" (as my family calls it). It will work out. </p>

<p>Jennifer</p>