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Basically, I came into this university on a scholarship, doing their most prestigious undergraduate degree. For a variety of reasons including but not limited to depression and anxiety, I basically failed half my courses in my first year. Last semester, I took a 6 month break.

Right now, I have been kicked from that degree and have lost my scholarship, but I am really enjoying my schoolwork again. A lot of the problems that were plaguing me the past 1.5 years have been largely resolved. I have missed struggling with a difficult problem and/or the feeling I get when I finally understand something. Originally my passion was space and wanted to do something in that area (such as astrophysics). It was (maybe still is) a dream of mine to go into this field at a higher level after undergrad. When I came to university, I was ambitious and wanted to get into some Ivy League school for graduate school, or some top school for whichever field I chose.

I had lost that dream, but now I have found it again. I was wondering if it was worth pursuing and putting all my effort into it, or is it too late for me already with my terrible background?

F'x
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user7962
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    I'm unclear on the question. Are you asking if you still have a chance at attending an Ivy League school's graduate program or are you asking if you have a chance of a successful academic career? – earthling Jul 30 '13 at 00:17
  • I think both. Sorry for not making that clear. – user7962 Jul 30 '13 at 00:53
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    Just follow your dreams. – antmw1361 Jul 30 '13 at 01:06
  • The title of your question seems rather self-defeatist, don't you think? I mean, if your options are to hunker down and overcome a bad start, or to pack it all in and bag groceries for the rest of your life, what do you expect us to say? "Oh, yes, by all means, quit now." Setbacks are setbacks – nothing more. – J.R. Jul 30 '13 at 02:42
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    Voting to reopen. There is nothing undergraduate-specific in this question. – JeffE Sep 24 '13 at 13:45
  • I agree with JeffE on this one—the question is not undergrad-specific (replace "scholarship" with "fellowship" for the graduate version of this question). – aeismail Sep 24 '13 at 16:06

1 Answers1

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I think this is a simple answer.

Stop thinking and start doing.

If you want a graduate degree at an Ivy League school and a successful academic career (perhaps even in the field of astrophysics), then pull your socks up, set definite, measurable and realistic goals and start achieving them. The path will not be easy but always remember that you are not the first and neither will you be the last.

Note that a graduate degree at an Ivy League school and a successful academic career are not necessarily mutually inclusive. To do one does not mean that you will do the other and neither does it mean that there is a causal relationship between the two.

Personal anecdote:

I had a rather forgettable start to my academic career as well. I recovered enough to get myself admitted to an "Ivy League" graduate program. I am still on my journey and I dare say the destination is years away. Not everyone is a rising star. Some folks are late bloomers.

I reiterate again. To achieve your dreams, just keep trying sincerely and honestly. It will happen in due time.

Shion
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