To make a long story short, I am a current freshman in college who is withdrawing for medical reasons this first quarter. I go to school really far from home (~2800 miles) and I definitely need to be closer to home to recover.
My academic advisor told me that because I’m withdrawing at the start of the quarter, my transcript will essentially be blank, with no courses listed, no grades, no Ws. Just the date I leave the school. She also told me this should make it easier to apply as a freshman to different schools for the spring semester.
I know I need to be home to get better, and because of this condition, I want to stay closer to home. I’m just super nervous about applying for spring admission as a freshman. I’m definitely applying to the schools that already admitted me last application season, but I would love to hear from someone who has gone through this process themselves or with their kids. Is spring admission for freshman students any different than fall? Do I need to make some more phone calls? Is there any way I can reactivate my applications/reinstate my decisions? I’m posting this in the Parents Forum because I feel like there has to be someone who’s gone through this or something similar with their kids. Any help is appreciated!!
You should contact the schools you have already applied to and ask if your acceptance is still good. I think in many cases it will be and then you won’t have to do all the work again. They may need a letter or transcript from your current school just to show you are in good standing.
It depends.
Some universities don’t have Spring admissions for freshmen.
Some universities fodder that if you enrolled elsewhere, you’re a transfer - and others consider you a freshman.
So it’ll have to be university by university.
What state are you from?
@gmurphy19, I know someone in a similar situation. That person’s colleges of interest (previously accepted) only take new freshman in fall. For some colleges that is really the best way for both the student and for the institution in terms of orientation, course sequencing, etc.
I recommend that you contact your colleges of interest first thing Monday to get the details on how to reapply. I imagine they will not all be the same.
Wishing you the best! It’s definitely a huge adjustment attending college so far from home.
@MYOS1634 From NY but go to school in Washington (UW). I contacted Fordham (who gave me a scholarship) and they said go ahead with the first year app for Spring. Still have to contact CUNY and other NYC schools! Most of them on Common App have spring admission for first-year applicants available, but I should probably call to make sure.
@Sybylla I wish. Without going into too much detail, I have a long road ahead of me. Would love to return (I’m going to talk to my advisor about that!) but I think I should plan for staying closer to home.
So my question is not about going back, but what impact is it having going forward? Are you looking for a commuter option? Spring is just around the corner. How will your new school see your health issues going forward? How will you package that? And Fordham might well offer you a spot, but no scholarships?. I assume money is no object if you went OOS to UW?
@Sybylla I’m really fortunate to be in a position where my parents can pay for my education. It would be extremely easy for me to commute to any NYC school, so I’ll probably commute for the spring semester. My doctors are confident I could get this condition to a manageable level by the holidays (i.e., won’t have to be on bedrest) – would I have to package that? Part of the reason I want to go to school closer to home is so that I can have access to physicians that aren’t associated with my school, so it’s not like I would consistently be using the university’s health services. Also might need surgery in the future. If I can apply as a freshman, would I have to make my health history a part of my application?
Your health should be your first priority. Talk to the colleges and find out if you could apply as a freshman next fall, in case this spring is not possible. Best of luck to you!
My family has a lot of experience with health issues and, first of all, I want to assure you that you can accomplish your goals, though the road may look different from what you imagined.
Did you do a medical withdrawal from UW to leave entirely or just for the semester? Are you absolutely sure you won’t return?
Some schools may want to make sure you are healthy enough to do school. If you were returning to a school, as opposed to changing, they often want proof you are well enough (by working or doing courses) and require an interview by the school MD.
It sounds like Fordham won’t ask for any of this as a new entrant, and most likely by changing schools you will avoid this.
Did you have tuition refund insurance? I hope so!
There are many ways to progress through college. Since financial aid isn’t an issue for you, I think you can start taking classes as an unmatriculated student, or part-time as a matriculated student, at many schools. There are online programs, continuing ed and “adult learner” programs that are flexible and allow you to take one or two classes.
Since your health issue is chronic, apparently, you may want to make use of some of those options, and start with just one or two classes.
It sounds like you are not envisioning living on campus so won’t get the social experience of residential college anyway, at least until you are back up to the speed you usually maintain.
Did you have accommodations at UW? Were you registered with the disabilities office? There are many accommodations available to you that can also help you progress through school.
I’m just updating this thread so anyone with a similar situation has some perspective:
I was (re)admitted to each school I had previously gotten into and a couple of others – but at every school I had to apply as a transfer student, not a freshman. This made matters complicated as I had to contact the school I had withdrawn from and my high school to collect all my documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation, transfer evaluations, etc.). In my experience, it’s best to do this as early as possible so you don’t get caught up around any deadlines. I also found that most schools were very accommodating once the situation was explained (it’s better to do this in email/in person rather than over the phone so no details or questions get lost in translation). I found the transfer admission process much faster than the freshman admission process as well, but that definitely varies from school to school. More schools take spring transfers than you think. I ended up transferring to a school I originally wanted to go to (just started a week ago!) and all is well
Finally, I’d just like to say that if you’re in a similar situation to where I was, you have options. It’s stressful to have to withdraw and reapply, but it works out in the end if you are organized and talk to admissions reps candidly and honestly. Good luck!
So glad it all worked out for you, and thank you for sharing your story - and its resolution. I’m sure there will be students and parents who will find it helpful. Best of luck for this year, and beyond.
