[silver_queen]

I'm thinking of applying to university for next year but I am not sure if I should mention my past history of depression. I did start another degree but never completed it, and so have to explain the gap between the end of high school in 2003 and now. I am not sure if I should simply say that I was employed in a supermarket (and then they might ask, 'Why, with your qualifications?') or if I should mention that I began a degree but never completed it due to my mental health problems. If I tell them about the depression, they might worry that it will happen with them too; or they might see it as a positive thing that I've overcome it. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

[lotusflames]

you dont have to tell them anything. health bears no relationship on doing a university degree

[anna342]

I would say it depends on what you want to do, and also whether your course requires occupational health clearance.

If it does require this clearance, you will have to mention it to them, but it's only up to that department whether they declare you fit and the information regarding why is not spread around the department you study from. With regards to that, I had to get clearance to return after a year out, and I was still on medication, doing ok but not great, and they just asked if I felt ok coming back. As long as you're willing to fight your corner and they can see you aren't in a terrible place then that situation would be fine I think. But this information would be obtained from your GP if you didn't declare it to them on their forms, so you might as well just admit to it.

If it doesn't require this, which most courses don't, I wouldn't see any need to mention why you'd taken time out. You could tell them whatever you like, as long as you don't get in the situation where they want a reference from what you were doing. This would also be loads easier to do if you don't have an interview, because I don't think they'd even ask to be honest.

I hope some of this makes sense. I've rambled a bit.

[Zen888]

I would just state "personal reasons" for the gap. They don't need to know your medical history.

[silver_queen]

Thanks for the answers so far.

I want to apply for psychology, with an aim of working within the field at a later date, so it is possible that at some point I would need to reveal my medical history.

And now as a 'mature student' due to me being older than 21, they will probably want to know just what it is that I did between leaving school and applying to their university.

[Zen888]

A former psychiatrist of mine told me that if I am asymptomatic that I don't need to tell the school or work of my medical condition.

[deliquesce]

you dont need to reveal your history, even if you want to study psych. you will not be working with a clinical population for some years to come, so no need to worry about that just yet.

i am not sure how it works where you are, but in australia we ask about all previous degrees, including incomplete attempts (i work in admissions for the medicine faculty at my uni). we have a number of students who are now training to be surgeons who have started degrees but not completed them. usually they say that the degree they started was not the right fit (especially if they came straight out of school and into uni), but sometimes they will give personal reasons e.g., to look after a family member, needing a job to become more financially stable etc.

i wouldn't encourage you to disclose about your depression unless you absolutely 'must' (and i can't see that this situation would arise right now - maybe later on if you start working with a clinical population). unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma around to do with mental health stuff, and i've (personally) found it to be a lot worse in the psych department than in any of the other departments i've studied or worked in. this could just be my university, though.

[Fuzzybear]

((((((((((((((( Silver )))))))))))))))))

[turquoisesea]

I would not mention it. Say you were out for "personal reasons" and to make money. Education is expensive... there's no reason you shouldn't have gone for a job! And MH stuff... might be best to keep it out of the picture if possible.

Really up to you though

[kim_johnson]

Adult students aren't as prevalent in the USA as they are in other places I'm used to studying. The first university I went to, in my home town, was comprised of 1/3 of the student population being `mature' (over 25). It wasn't at all uncommon there for people to take some time out after school to travel or work for a while - to gain some life experience basically - before figuring out what it is that they wanted to do. Sounds like your interest in psychology is more recent (that wasn't the degree that you started?) so you can certainly make a case for your having some time off to figure out what it was that you wanted to do before making the decision to go back.

I wouldn't personally mention mental health issues. My feeling on that is basically that it really isn't anybody else's business. So it isn't that I'm ashamed or embarrassed or whatever, it is just that it really isn't their business. If you have mental health problems while you are studying then (hopefully) there are good counseling services etc there that you can access. There are many people who are undiagnosed who struggle and I so wouldn't worry particularly about whether you will find yourself struggling more or less than them.

Applying for a clinical psychology or doctor of psychology program will be a while off yet. Your history with depression MAY be relevant (you may choose for it to be relevant) when you apply for that... Or it might not be. It is some time off, yet, so I wouldn't worry about that, particularly.

That being said some people do prefer to disclose mental health issues. I don't - but I do appreciate that that is a personal choice.

[silver_queen]

Yes, it would probably be better if I didn't mention it, and maybe say I was working instead (but that was only during the university vacations, not full-time).

[kim_johnson]

i guess i (personally) would emphasize that you weren't so happy with your chosen major before and that you needed some time (and life experience) before figuring out what it was that you wanted to focus your time and efforts on. and that now you have come to understand that your choice is psychology.

[silver_queen]

Yes ... I think the main problem is that psychology is heavily over-subscribed and I want to apply to good universities. If I mentioned that I'd started a degree previously, it would suggest that I know what I'm letting myself in for in terms of work and standards and expectations, rather than some 18 yr old who has never been to university. So saying that I already have some university experience might give me an advantage because I would not have to make that big adjustment between school and university.

[pachyderm]

People without mental health problems are either very lucky -- or they aren't alive! Anyway, my typically weird comment of the day...

I tend to agree with ((pachy)))LOL
I think most ppl in the world at one time or another have experencised some sort of depression.,
Back to your question on letting them know. If they ask I would be truthful.
My son is starting college this fall. I turned over his psychological report. Well he agreed too.
It will get him extra help and time I think. My sister goes to college. She started last year. I do not think she hid her depression. She has it all the time. She was on the deans list all year.
No one treated her any different ,,,,maybe she was just lucky?
As I know sometimes it does make a difference.
not sure this helped ....

[Lauru]

I have a pendant that says, The only normal people are those you don't know.

I agree

[Perna]

If you're worried about what to say or how well you'll do, etc. I would take a couple of the basic courses at a local community college, see how you do and then transfer; then there won't be any questions about your age or health or that you're older or anything else at all.

Another route is to enroll in an accredited online university (I went to the University of Maryland University College http://www.umuc.edu/index.shtml ) where it is all adult students and you don't have physical classes at all and no one cares about your past, they just try to help you do well now.

[Hunny]

Silver_queen:

I've just been trying to think of how to respond to you. I believe in you sweetheart and I believe you will be honoured in what you choose. Aim for this goal and go in faith. You will make a difference.

http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=110091

Sincerely,
Hunny

Originally Posted by silver_queen

I'm thinking of applying to university for next year but I am not sure if I should mention my past history of depression. I did start another degree but never completed it, and so have to explain the gap between the end of high school in 2003 and now. I am not sure if I should simply say that I was employed in a supermarket (and then they might ask, 'Why, with your qualifications?') or if I should mention that I began a degree but never completed it due to my mental health problems. If I tell them about the depression, they might worry that it will happen with them too; or they might see it as a positive thing that I've overcome it. Has anyone been in a similar situation?