- Joined
- May 30, 2019
- Messages
- 30
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FIRST TRIGGER WARNING FOR MENTAL ILLNESS
Also, this requires a bit of context for me to fully explain the degree of what I explained in my app.--
In my submitted AMCAS and TMDSAS applications I explained that my low grades were due to some some familial issues, social isolation, and my inability to practice my hobbies.
My mother right before I left to college was diagnosed with schizophrenia and attempted suicide via overdose while I was at home with her. We were home alone so I was the one who had to 911 and watched her get wheeled away.
We later tried to get her help, but she just refused any sort of psychiatric care.
I was really shaken at the time and felt like I just lost my mom. I then immediately left for college without taking the time or effort to process what had happened. I just couldn't cope, my grades plummeted during my freshman year (2.7 gpa) and I shelled up really bad. I had no friends, couldn't practice my hobbies, and had no support system, it was honestly the lowest point in my life. I hit rock bottom and just kept on digging.
From there I honestly went on a journey of reinvention, I took a gap year and really had to focus on myself to identify why I failed so hard. I restarted my passions/hobbies, adopted my puppy, and did some really uncomfortable introspection. I tried to reconnect with my mother but as soon as I did she threatened to kill me and then commit suicide, I had to flee my house with my dog and had to moved around frequently as a precaution until I moved off to college again.
I had to relearn everything, from socializing to studying and I stumbled a bit a first. But I really put myself out into unfamiliar territory. I rushed a fraternity, continued kickboxing (the hobby), did some bench research (this is how I learned that I didn't want to get my PhD haha), ran clubs, mentored students, made friends, and volunteered. I was the first time I was happy in a while.
I ended with my last 32 credits with a 3.7 uGPA & sGPA, but the damage was done (3.27 uGPA, 3.4 sGPA, 510 MCAT) and I'm in an SMP right now to help make up for my terrible start.
I'm not sure how adcoms would react to my story and I really hoped that I didn't sound spiteful or that I was fishing for pity. I put a lot of effort to capture how hard I had to work to reinvent myself in my apps.
So I guess my question is if this was compelling enough to include to justify a terrible start to undergrad?
Sorry if this sounded like a therapy session. I wanted to make sure that I didn't leave a stone unturned.
Also GPA trend & Dog Tax
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