Serious question re: grad apps and undergrad withdrawal

[ndlek21]

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Hi everyone,

I didn't want this to be a big deal for my application, but I fear that it will be.

I had to withdraw in the middle of a semester for health reasons. I spent a year and a half at home for treatment until I was better, then I reapplied and finished my degree at the same institution. This problem never affected my grades terribly (3.5-3.6 before the leave, and 4.0 ever since).

It clearly states on my transcript in the middle of a semester: "Withdrew for health reasons." I didn't address it in my personal statement, because I honestly don't feel like it is an issue -- I've clearly been thriving at school and research since then. I have been checking the statuses of my applications, and on one of my schools I noticed the following note (that I don't think I am supposed to see...but it's there!) on my online app: "Readmission after 1.5 year absence."

So clearly, schools are picking this out of my transcript.

I have two questions:
1) Will this be a kiss of death? Will it hurt my app, or even cause them to toss it without allowing me to address it?
2) I don't want to sound vague or evasive (really it's none of their business what my illness was)...but if I'm asked about it, how open or descriptive should I be? I mostly want them to know that it's resolved/in the past. And it won't affect my ability to pursue my PhD!

I absolutely know that programs don't want applicants who look like they might not be able to ride out the entire 5-7+ years...but I am so confident that I am ready for graduate school, this is what I want to do. And I think the rest of my application is solid.

Thanks for any insight you can provide...

 

[PHD12]

Hi everyone,

I didn't want this to be a big deal for my application, but I fear that it will be.

I had to withdraw in the middle of a semester for health reasons. I spent a year and a half at home for treatment until I was better, then I reapplied and finished my degree at the same institution. This problem never affected my grades terribly (3.5-3.6 before the leave, and 4.0 ever since).

It clearly states on my transcript in the middle of a semester: "Withdrew for health reasons." I didn't address it in my personal statement, because I honestly don't feel like it is an issue -- I've clearly been thriving at school and research since then. I have been checking the statuses of my applications, and on one of my schools I noticed the following note (that I don't think I am supposed to see...but it's there!) on my online app: "Readmission after 1.5 year absence."

So clearly, schools are picking this out of my transcript.

I have two questions:
1) Will this be a kiss of death? Will it hurt my app, or even cause them to toss it without allowing me to address it?
2) I don't want to sound vague or evasive (really it's none of their business what my illness was)...but if I'm asked about it, how open or descriptive should I be? I mostly want them to know that it's resolved/in the past. And it won't affect my ability to pursue my PhD!

I absolutely know that programs don't want applicants who look like they might not be able to ride out the entire 5-7+ years...but I am so confident that I am ready for graduate school, this is what I want to do. And I think the rest of my application is solid.

Thanks for any insight you can provide...

I don't have personal experience with this issue, but I think its a good idea that you didn't bring this up in your personal statement since it has nothing to do with why you are a good fit with the program. I can't say whether this will be a deal breaker, but I would consult with your mentors/advisors to come up with several possible responses for how to handle any questions related to your leave. I would imagine that programs are less forgiving of health issues as opposed to mental health problems. I would def. not disclose any mental health issues (not sure what you meant by illness).

 

[JennyAnn4]

I actually have personal experience with this, albeit for just a single semester, and we've discussed it with professors. It can be the kiss of death IF you do not handle it appropriately. You did what you needed to do for your health, and that's totally acceptable. However, this is what I've heard from my director of training. If he sees a long absence on someone's application and it is not even mentioned in the personal statement, that makes them raise their eyebrows a little bit. Again, you had every right and responsibility to withdraw and fulfill your needs, but embrace that and honestly address it. I understand it's kind of late in the game, so at this point just be prepared to honestly address it in your interviews because, chances are, they will ask you about it. Do you have to go beyond your comfort level in explaining what you were doing during that year and a half? Absolutely not. But, you do have to come up with an appropriate and adequate response to, "So... what were you doing during that year and a half?" My advice is to not be too vague, like you have something to hide, but don't give them a five-minute long story about how ill you were. I agree with PHD12 that brainstorming with your mentors is a fine idea. I believe something along the lines of, "I had significant health issues and, although it was not a choice I wanted to make, I felt I had to do so for my well-being. In that time, I was able to address my needs adequately and hit the ground running when I returned."

Remember, psychologists are real people who talk about very real things. If you have the insight to admit your own personal needs, and the courage to take time to address them, they will see this as a positive quality in a clinician. Good luck!

 

[Doctor Eliza]

I wouldn't worry yourself over this. I agree that it was not worth highlighting in your personal statement. Sounds like your stats are really good and that should alleviate most concern about whether you can manage in the program.

I think it would be fairly inappropriate for faculty to bring up in an interview since your transcript designates that it was due to a health condition (what more do they need to know, right?) If it does come up, I would keep it simple and state that you were experiencing a serious health concern that has since been managed (or resolved, whatever is appropriate). I might even say that you are confident that it will not be an issue in the program.

If this is a potentially reoccurring concern, I always give this bit of advice. After all is said and done and you arrive at your selected doctoral program, you should consider registering with the office for students with disabilities (or whatever they call it at your university). Find out about their procedures, etc. and whether it makes sense to register with them. I believe in most cases they will not need to disclose anything to your dept unless you want them to. It can be a good thing to proactively have in place in case you need a leave of absence, a deadline extension, etc. I (unfortunately) have some personal experience with this sort of issue and grad school. Feel free to private message me if I can be of further assistance.

Best,
Dr. E

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Remember, psychologists are real people who talk about very real things. If you have the insight to admit your own personal needs, and the courage to take time to address them, they will see this as a positive quality in a clinician. Good luck!

I disagree with this part a little. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security about self-disclosure because your interviewer is a psychologist. I actually found my graduate faculty to be among the least understanding people I encountered with regard to my health concerns. Be simple and professional. No unnecessary details and I would not name a specific condition. Psychologists are big into boundaries. Demonstrate that you are good with boundaries by not sharing too much personal detail in a professional setting.

Best,
Dr. E

 

[ResearchGirlie]

I also wouldn't have mentioned it in my personal statement. I've read a number of personal statements that talk about a person's own history of mental illness and it often falls flat. I would think your time off for health concerns would be similar. Also seems somewhat inappropriate for them to bring it up in interviews but I guess a number of faculty are somewhat awkward/inappropriate.

 

[ndlek21]

Thank you all for your responses! I can see programs wanting me to address this even though it clearly says "HEALTH" reasons on the transcript. I am certain I can answer their questions enough to put their minds at ease without crossing any lines with over-disclosing...I just hope I make it as far as an interview in these programs. My main worry was just that schools would see that as reason to weed me out without even bringing it up with me...that seems unfair, but from what I've discussed with others here and in PMs, if a program is going to toss out an otherwise decent application over a health withdrawal, no questions asked, maybe that program is not for me anyways.

 

[JustNoticing]

Thank you all for your responses! I can see programs wanting me to address this even though it clearly says "HEALTH" reasons on the transcript. I am certain I can answer their questions enough to put their minds at ease without crossing any lines with over-disclosing...I just hope I make it as far as an interview in these programs. My main worry was just that schools would see that as reason to weed me out without even bringing it up with me...that seems unfair, but from what I've discussed with others here and in PMs, if a program is going to toss out an otherwise decent application over a health withdrawal, no questions asked, maybe that program is not for me anyways.

I had Ws, and even Fs on my transcript. I didn't go out of my way to highlight these, and my interviewers didnt ask either.

 

[PHD12]

I had Ws, and even Fs on my transcript. I didn't go out of my way to highlight these, and my interviewers didnt ask either.

Not sure what school you got into, but this may only be applicable to professional schools that have ridiculously high acceptance rates. I don't think the OP is applying to professional programs. Don't mean to offend anybody.

 

[paramour]

I had Ws, and even Fs on my transcript. I didn't go out of my way to highlight these, and my interviewers didnt ask either.

Not sure what school you got into, but this may only be applicable to professional schools that have ridiculously high acceptance rates. I don't think the OP is applying to professional programs. Don't mean to offend anybody.

I also had a few Ws and Fs on my transcript in the first 1.5 years or so of my undergrad career before going on hiatus for a few years. I didn't discuss them, and they weren't brought up during interviews.

I attend neither a professional program nor a PhD program with a "ridiculously high acceptance rate."

 

[JustNoticing]

Not sure what school you got into, but this may only be applicable to professional schools that have ridiculously high acceptance rates. I don't think the OP is applying to professional programs. Don't mean to offend anybody.

None taken. I also had a master's after with a flawless GPA, and over a 3.5 undergrad gpa. I applied to 4 schools last year with 4 months of research experience, and was interviewed at University of Miami, definitely not a school with a high acceptance rate, and one less notable school (university based PhD).

 

[JennyAnn4]

I disagree with this part a little. Don't be lulled into a false sense of security about self-disclosure because your interviewer is a psychologist. I actually found my graduate faculty to be among the least understanding people I encountered with regard to my health concerns. Be simple and professional. No unnecessary details and I would not name a specific condition. Psychologists are big into boundaries. Demonstrate that you are good with boundaries by not sharing too much personal detail in a professional setting.

Best,
Dr. E

Indeed, the entirety of my message is completely in line with what you just said, and not at all in disagreement with it. I certainly did not suggest full disclosure. In fact, I included an example of how this person's situation could be communicated, and my words fostered a delicate mix between honesty and discretion.

 

[wandergirl]

I think it sounds like it was a good decision not to address in your statement.

If it is an issue you are concerned might raise questions, but you don't want to divert your statement to cover it, another possibility could be to have a letter writer discuss the issue. The advantage there is that they can believably emphasize that this issue is truly in the past and highlight all of your accomplishments.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Indeed, the entirety of my message is completely in line with what you just said, and not at all in disagreement with it. I certainly did not suggest full disclosure. In fact, I included an example of how this person's situation could be communicated, and my words fostered a delicate mix between honesty and discretion.

I did not mean to imply that you were suggesting full-disclosure. And I said I only disagreed "a little." I mostly took issue with your description of academic psychologists as "real people" which I took to mean that you thought that they would be empathetic and understanding. I meant to point out my contrasting experience that academic psychologists are uniquely cold-hearted and have their radar up for something to pounce on.

No offense intended.

Best,
Dr. E

 

[ndlek21]

If I were to do it over again, I probably would have asked a letter writer to address it in a sentence or two. Two of my three writers know a lot about my time off, but neither of them asked if they should discuss it, which further suggested to me that writing about it would probably make it out to be a bigger deal than it actually is. Who knows what will happen, but it's out of my hands for now!

Thanks for all the replies!!