Two Questions Related to Study Abroad & Medical History

[zobar]

Hello there! I've been lurking for a bit and found all of your comments very helpful, but I was wondering if you could answer some questions specific to my own situation. It's a bit complicated to explain, but please bear with me. And let me know if I should put this under a cut

Comments

[lion]

I'm in the UK so I'll just answer the one I think I can answer with certainty:

2. Do be up-front about your depression. On the UK forms, it states that not mentioning any emotional issues in your past can actually disqualify you from the programme, so it's best to be honest. Do mention that you're now well and healthy, though, because that's the kind of assurance they need. I'm in a similar situation - I had a bout of depression a few years back and I've mentioned that but added that I've had no issues since then.

I can't be certain about the US but in the UK, you also have to include a note from a doctor if you've suffered depression in the past, just to verify that you're fit for the programme. I'd recommend checking out whether you have to do that, as well.

[zobar]

Thanks for the input. Did you end up writing something about "overcoming" your depression in your SOP too?

[sabishii_kirito]

You do need to mention depression and get a doctor's letter in the US. I sent a letter to one of the consulates asking about some things, and from what I understand ANYTHING that would have a chance of recurring or require anything special for daily life (diabetes, cancer, depression, anxiety, etc) needs to be on the application even if you're over it. It's not really that it will disqualify you, they just need to know in case anything comes up, and possibly in some cases (or so I would assume) for placement purposes so you don't get thrown in the boonies where there wouldn't be appropriate facilities to help.

If you get an interview, they will probably ask you about it, so be prepared for hypothetical questions. There have been JETs on depression medications, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[zobar]

Thanks! Hmm, did those medicated JETs reveal their condition before or after they applied?

[lordameth]

I can't claim to have any special knowledge; I've never done JET (yet

[lordameth]

Oh, and Good Luck!!! 頑張って！

[zobar]

Wow, thanks so much for your comment! You've given me a lot more confidence... recently I've been どうしよう？！って感じ。

[abbajen]

I got a 2.21 my first year at college, but then a 4.0 at community college and a 3.95 something at university. The grades for those two semesters didn't hurt me.

I left my depression off the form for two reasons - I was no longer being treated or taking meds, and I hadn't taken meds or been treated for 5 years at the time of application (so I felt it wasn't applicable). No one ever called me out on it (I'm a JET alumni). However, if you need to bring meds with you/have them sent, you obviously need to write down about your depression.