Will somebody who is a college professor or someone that works in the college administration please answer me?

Question

I am a current senior (well 5th year student to be exact) and I have a not so pretty looking transcript. I tried to attend college fresh out of high school in 1999 but I met a guy that I thought was "all that" but later that guy got me into the drug scene and I was really quite hooked. I ended up having to withdraw from all of my courses so that I could go into an intensive year long treatment program. After I was clean for 3 years I finally went back to college and I made good marks- a 3.5 average all the way up until 2nd semester of last year. I became very ill with a rare neurological disorder which I was being treated for and was doing fine in my classes, but then my insurance cut me off and I couldn't be seen by any doctor anymore. It was too late into the semester to drop the courses so I stuck it out but I wasn't doing very hot. I ended up getting a D+ for the final grade in intermediate inferential statistics- an important course in my Psychology program, especially since I want to go into a Masters Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. I finally got approved for a better student insurance program and they are covering my costs. I am doing better both physically and mentally and I just took some summer classes (2 courses) and got A's in both. I am retaking the stat course next semester (Fall 08) and expect to get at least a B this time. Can I explain this well enough and still get into grad school, or am I completely ruined?

Answer 1

When you apply for grad school they look at everything.  Your GRE's, your GPA, etc.  Get a letter from a doctor explaining that you had the rare neurological disorder.  Also get some kind of documentation from your insurance company, saying they dropped your coverage.  

Also when you apply for grad school, when you write your admissions essay, be very honest, and use all the aforementioned "problems" as positives.  You overcame the drugs, you overcame the neurological disorder, and you want to help people in life.

I dont see any problems with you getting into grad school.

Answer 2

I would leave out the drug situation, but colleges are completely understanding of medical issues. Write a letter to the school, and have one or more of your current professors write a letter as well. Consider asking your former doctor or insurance agent to write one as well explaining that it isn't your fault. I'm sure it will be okay.