Could someone look over my letter of extenuating circumstances?

Hi guys~

My greatest dream or goal of this year is to get into my top school's nursing program. However, the average to get in is quite high (87-90%). I do have a 87%, but know that this might not be high enough. In high school, I went through a rough time which affected my marks. I wrote a letter explaining my circumstances and what I then did to repair the damage to the school I want to get into.

However, since this letter outlines my mental disorders I am terrified of letting anyone I know read it. My best friend offered to read the letter after I told her I was writing a letter to the university, but I'm too scared to let her see what I have been hiding for the past three years. My parents also don't approve of me writing the letter, as they think it will hinder me while the opposite is true.

If someone could look it over for me, that would be a HUGE help. I am worried that it is too long but more importantly that there may be some punctuation/spelling mistakes. Since I am sending it to my university, it has to be perfect. Thanks everyone~

Alice

 

Hi guys~

I understand what you guys are saying about the letter perhaps not helping. Often universities will only look at it is they are on the cusp of saying yes or no. However, I still want to give it a try or I feel I will never forgive myself for not giving it my all.

During grade eleven and part of twelve, I was severally depressed. I only got about four hours of sleep a night, had constant nightmares, panic attacks, had my hair start to fall out, heart palpitations, etc, etc. These events basically swept my life from under me, and I felt like I lost it all. My friends, my grades and more importantly my future.

However, once I got better from my depression period, I really tried my best to set things right. I took another math course, and raised the math mark I needed from a 53% to an 88%. I got a 91% in english and two other 90's for my other two elective top 6 courses. I would have taken a bunch of my courses over, only a TON of people at the school told me that the more courses you take twice the more the universities will be likely to say no.

So, I do understand where you guys are coming from thinking that it is unfair or me making excuses. I really do. Yet at the same time, do you guys see where I am coming from too? I became depressed which wasn't my choice or wish. I tried my best while I was depressed, and as soon as I got better I did everything within my power to raise my marks without retaking too many courses. I don't want to think that my future is lost because I was depressed for about two years.

Also, as a point of interest, I told one school already what happened. They said to get official reports and such, which while I was collecting, they accepted me. The average to get into that school was 87-90%. Yet another school, which only had a average of 80-83%, did not accept me, likely due to the fact that I did not explain what happened that semester.

This is why I want to explain, because I am not saying "Oh I was depressed so accept me." What I am trying to get at through my letter is "I faced adversary, so my marks may be a bit lower then needed. However, since then I have done X and Y steps to try and make up for my depression and take better care of my mental health in the future.

That being said, what do you guys think? Do you still honestly believe that it is wrong for me to send the letter? Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated.

 

Hi guys~

As always thanks for the support. I have decided to send the letter but will explain why a bit more. The school I want to get into did not have any sort of essay or personal statement. Therefore, there is not another way for me to talk about anything with them unless I send the letter. In the school's viewbook, it says that if there was circumstances to send a letter to the admissions office and gave me an address. So, they have someone stated that it is allowed to do this if that makes sense.

While I am also going to be discussing my depression, which my doctor also states in his letter has been resolved, I will not talked about my social anxiety. Because I feel that that would be a bad idea, as nurses are constantly working with people.

It also doesn't hurt to state that if my plan does backfire, then I have my second choice option in my pocket. I can still live at home if I go there and it is also one of the top five programs for my subject in the country.

I want to take the chance because I worry if I don't then and I don't get accepted then I will always wonder what if...? If I do take it and don't get in, then I will know that at least I did everything within my power to help my cause.