Add

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Pennsylvania
1

<p>I was diagnosed with ADD when I was in fifth grade. Without Ritalin I was a straight C student and with it I was a straight A+ student. My parents took me off of it in eighth grade because of the side-effects. In high-school I was left with a daunting task. I never achieved academic success without medication. After an horrendous first marking period freshman year, I became so motivated to go to Penn that I was able to get myself to work arduously. It was not easy, but I was able to get straight A's. Even with this success, I beleive I still did not live up to my academic potential. I am convinced that if I took medication to treat my disorder, I would have graduated in the top 1% of my class. Instead, I am currently 33/556 and I am frustrated by this because I know if I had the capacity to focus as much as the students ahead of me, I would have easily surpassed them. I take the most rigorous course load in my school which requires endless hours of work each night. I am able to fight through the adversity and pull off A's (my good test-taking skills compensates for some of the disadvantages of not being able to focus/study as much).</p>

<p>I applied ED to Penn. I am a legacy and scored 2200 on the SAT. When I sent in my application, I did not mention the fact I am diagnosed with ADD. I thought of many disadvantages of doing so:</p>

<ol>
<li>Penn will think it is bad that I have ADD because they will assume I do not have the capacity to work hard enough at Penn (which is untrue because I have proved to myself that I have been able to work hard and achieve academic success without the medication).</li>
<li>Penn will think that I am playing a sympathy card and they would look down on that.</li>
<li>It is irrelevant.</li>
</ol>

<p>However, I am starting to have second thoughts. Maybe it was a bad idea that I excluded my disorder back in October when I submitted my application. Maybe Penn wants to know why I only got straight A's instead of straight A+'s (and only 6% in my class), and under what circumstances I achieved my grades. My question is: do you think I should have let Penn know my situation? Would they even care? And is it too late to notify them?</p>

<p>I know Penn takes a holistic view on applications in which class rank and GPA are only one factor in the admissions process. I am also aware that top 6% is nothing to be ashamed of. But maybe Penn will want to know this information. As I mature, I am able to tackle my ADD more effectively. Each year, I show an upwards trend with regard to my grades because I am able to self-discipline myself . I would appreciate any advice. Thanks!</p>

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<p>Firstly, let me say that this a delicate issue that probably won’t yield best results by asking CCers. This isn’t some prosaic chance thread or “read my essay” thread, and requires some more insight.</p>

<p>I think you should ask your counselor, parents, and other mentors/teachers first. Also, consider calling up the admissions office of Penn - but NOT your regional director - and asking anonymously about your situation and what you should do. If they think it’s a good idea to tell your admissions officer about these details, then go ahead. It’s probably smart not to give your information when you first ask Penn however because it may or may not help you and if it does hurt you, you don’t want them to know it was you that called.</p>

<p>IMO, I think you’re stats are good enough that would not warrant the inclusion of your ADD diagnosis, but that’s just me.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I am emailed the alumni council on admissions. They usually have good advice. I went to CC as well because, although it may not be the best place for personal advice, once in a while someone has something good to say. Thanks for your response! =]</p>

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<p>anyone else have an opinion?</p>

5

<p>Has Penn emailed you back yet?</p>

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<p>Yeah:
“Hi Benjamin
From all of our previous email exchanges, I gather you have done well in school, and I don’t think you should second-guess that. I realize admissions is more than a matter of just doing well in high school, and I realize the unknowns about the competition and nuances of the selection process could make you second-guess any decision you may have made. Try not to think about that stuff. When you reach senior year and the application process, the best you can do is assemble a strong application, which makes demonstrates your fit with Penn to the Admissions Committee.”</p>