Trying to Get Back to School... Again

[Restorer]

As I might have mentioned before, after my fluid overload issues back in February/March, I basically "flunked out" of school at UCSB again - my quarter GPA was bad enough that my registration was cancelled. At the same time, my landlords decided that they didn't want to rent anymore, so my lease ended in May. I moved back in with my parents in LA, and started trying to figure out what to do next.

I managed to sign up for a couple classes at UCLA Extension, which I'm taking now. I'm going to have insurance issues when I turn 25 in August (no longer covered under parents' plans), so I'm trying to get my degree finished ASAP.

My best option, as I see it, is to transfer to UCLA and finish my degree there. The problems are that UCLA's requirements for transfer are a 3.2 GPA, and some classes completed that I haven't, because they weren't required at UCSB. They also require good standing at the college you're transferring from, which I don't have at UCSB, but I'm hoping the UCLA Extension classes will make that up. Also, the application period for Fall 2010 is Nov 1-30, but I'd like to get in earlier - winter or spring if possible. The winter application period is past, and UCLA apparently doesn't accept anyone for spring transfer.

It looks like my best chance is to try to get in through Admission by Exception. I've sent an email asking for info about that, but haven't heard back yet. I'm afraid that I won't be able to convince them I'm worth accepting.

The second option is to reapply, yet again, for reinstatement at UCSB, which might be easier, but has its own problems. I'll have to go out and live on my own again, which is also a money-sink for my parents (and my father just lost his job... hey, maybe I'll add that to my essay...); and I'll have to switch clinics and doctors again, back to the clinic and doctor I had before, that didn't seem to be that great at keeping me healthy. Also, the application period for winter at UCSB ends in early November, so I have to figure out if UCLA is really an option quickly.

I'm just frustrated thinking about everything I've missed and am missing. I want to get back into classes, enjoy learning and doing, and finish this goal so I have a reasonable chance of getting a job I won't hate.

 

[billybags]

Your system is entirely different to ours in England. Do you not have an administer who would help you sort these things out? Do not give up your goal. You are only young, you need a chance, come on convince people you are really up for this. Think positive. Good Luck.

[paris]

Restorer, can you schedule a face to face appointment with someone at the college?  An advisor of some sort?  My daughter had to drop out due to a medical problem.  We finally had a meeting with her adivsor so she could drop out the remainder of the semester without being penalized or have a bad record.  She went back after a semester and went on to finish.  I hope you can get this settled,because I can tell how important it is to you.   Do they offer an online program?  Not all courses can be online--just trying to thing of ideas!   Keep us updated---and keep cooking!!

[tyefly]

  I certainly feel for you ..... I too am attending Oregon State  ( OSU )  and had to drop a term this last fall.....  I still need to make up those classes..... I do the Online classes so its nice to have that type of media to use....esp  with all of this D stuff.....( I just start D myself)  My advisor is currently working with me to make up those classes along with going full time....  Its hard with all the rules and reg.....  I feel for you being almost 24 and losing insurance.... My daughter had / has the same problem as she is going to WSU and is now with out insurance..... Luckily for here I will hire her as a employee in our family run business and get her good coverage......still cost alot  ( 480 per month )   
    Life is hard....  Stick with your program  and keep working with everyone at the University.....  There are rules that will help you stay true to your goals.....  Network as much as you can  and  maybe take some on line classes ..... I really like them......   kathy

[Restorer]

I got an email back from the UCLA Admissions Office. Apparently they aren't accepting applications for winter or spring, and admission by exception is done per-application if they decide the applicant shows potential to success despite not meeting minimum requirements. Also, they only accept junior-level transfers. I have enough credits to be a senior++ transfer  , but program differences make it so I might have to take more than a year of classes to finish. I'm not sure what exactly that makes me. I'm going to schedule an in-person meeting with someone at that office to see if there's any possibility at all of getting in for the winter or spring quarters, and to see what my chances are for fall (probably not good).

Now it's looking like my best option for graduating from a decent program soon is to reapply to UCSB for winter quarter. Contingent on what I learn from UCLA, I'll schedule an appointment with counselors at UCSB to see what I can do both to get back in, to keep myself (and my record) safe in case my health takes a turn again, and to see if there's anything I can do to mitigate the damage I've already done to my record. I've already emailed to office there to get initial info.

I'm done letting it all go as it goes. I'm going to get annoying and persistent really fast. I don't care if the counselors say, "Oh shit, here he comes again" when I walk into the office. I'm going to get this done and finish my degree. I'm tired of myself.

Edit: Forgot to mention, if I go back to UCSB, I have 9 classes to complete. Considering prerequisites, class availability, and unit limits because of academic probation, it'll take 3 quarters and I'd still run into insurance problems. If I somehow manage to petition out of unit limits (even past normal limits for one quarter, assuming there's nothing useful in summer, as usual) and certain prerequisites, I can finish in two quarters, but that means a huge workload which I probably couldn't handle. I'm no investigating what happens with the required university health insurance and Medicare with regards to dialysis.

[Jean]

Restorer, can't you get on Medicare? That would solve at least one problem.

[Restorer]

Yeah, once my insurance coverage under my parents is done, I'll have to go to Medicare. But (AFAIK, and I'm not very well versed on Medicare yet) Medicare only covers 80%, right? I don't know how Medicare and the university's health insurance coordinate in terms of dialysis, and whether that would cover me fully.

[Jean]

I could be wrong, but I think it covers dialysis 100%. Its worth a shot to check out their website. I think its. www.medicare.gov

[Restorer]

I'll ask my social worker about it the next time I see her. Also, do you think she could help in some way to get me into UCLA or UCSB? I feel like I'm going to have to do some serious convincing to get back in either place, especially UCLA late. But aside from notes from my nephrologist and/or PD nurse, I don't know what she could contribute to help me.

[Jean]

I would bet if she is halfway trained that she can help you.

[Restorer]

It looks like my options have been defined for me. UCLA, CSUN, and any other university around here are not options - none will accept anyone at this point for winter or spring. That leaves me with reapplying to UCSB and going through all the trouble of moving back there, or applying for fall at UCLA or CSUN and figuring out what to do - how to stay a full-time student - until then, without making myself ineligible for transfer.

I'm working on my petition for reinstatement at UCSB, since that looks like the only viable option right now.