<p>I was diagnosed with ADHD shortly before my junior year, and, after a sharp drop in grades, went on medication halfway through the school year. My high school doesn't know, because the program for learning disabled kids there is...less than desirable. My grades since the meds have gone up, and my parents seem to think that it was a cause for poor grades in the past as well as junior year.
My query: Should I tell the schools I'm applying to of my ADHD? I don't want to make it my excuse for poor a few bad grades. How would it look to the colleges if I told them?</p>
<p>Tell them that in a way, you've "overcome" your disadvantage and that you've worked much harder than others to produce the same grades, etc. It'll show you're mature, hard-working, industrious ... Just keep on emphasizing that. Friend :).</p>
<p>Wow... your situation sounds a lot like mine! Well, I don't have ADHD, but I did suffer symptoms from an internal birth defect for all four of my high school years. The first year I had surgery, the second year I recovered, the third year I made up for lost time (at school) by taking independent study, and the last year was just a final "healing period." My post-surgical condition is actually supposed to be permanent, but I'm a lot better than I was before I began high school. Concerning college apps: I think it's extremely important that you mention this! Especially if you know your ADHD was the cause for the grades. Like the person above me said, the reviewers would see it as an adversity in your life that not many people go through, yet you've managed to fight it. </p>
<p>Perhaps as proof... I applied to Cal and got in. My transcript looked dreadful, but through careful planning of my essay (and good SAT scores ;) ), I got the ticket. Hopefully all goes well with you, though. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>I think that the schools would appreciate it if you helped them understand your transcript by telling them. A kid with ADHD and a slump in academic performance looks a lot better than a kid with an unexplained slump in academic performance. Colleges are often willing to consider applicants that they might otherwise rule out due to some blotch on the record if there are "extenuating circumstances"--and this is exactly the kind of thing they mean. Think of it like you were sick for half the year, and have a doctor's excuse.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks, guys. I was probably not going to tell any schools, because I have a bit of an ego and hate to sound like I'm making excuses for myself. Think I should put it in my essay? It won't be a part of my transcript, because my school doesn't know.</p>
<p>Few school, atleast at the LAC-level will not hold things such as ADD/ADHD against you. That's understandable, there are many just like you, including professors, and plenty of services in place in college (again, I'm mainly speaking of LACs) to assist you.</p>
<p>My advice, coming through a similar pattern, though I transitioned first semester of my sophmore year.</p>
<p>1) Do not as yourself overly use it to the extent that you make it seem like a crutch. Whatever means you choose, you want to convey it as an obstacle/adversity or simply apart of your unique self that you've learn to cope with. </p>
<p>If by any chance you could through your guidance office, test for a 504 Plan and have a note attached from guidance about resent delayed findings. Yes, I know you're schools offices might be terrible, my were horrible, I know the feeling, that's why I left, but I still consult with them.</p>
<p>I can further talk with you b/c I just went through all of this over the past 3-4 years and don't think I articulated this as I would have lied to in this short post.</p>
<p>Cre8tive1, that all sounds like good advice, Its nice to know that someone else went through all this too. The one thing I have trouble with is the 504 Plan. In my school, the program designed for LD kids is pulling them out of all their honors classes, and spending at least a period a day in a closely-monitored study hall (I've seen it happen to a few friends). Is it possible to get the note without putting myself through that?</p>
<h2>Yep, been there before, actually, I was the first in my district to actually fully challenge this. The fact that I was rather bright, in all top courses but needed certain accomedations. A couple teachers fully challenged and resented making accomedations and actually took the school district to court regarding the matter (to which of course they lost). But, although I left my public school, my case actually led to a total clean-slate makeoer of the guidance office and a door opener for any other ADD Honors students who had close-minded teachers that thought the two were oxymorons.</h2>
<p>Really, the district cannot force you out of those course without reasons (in MA, atleast, there are laws now that make that clear). It would benefit you to have both a meeting with guidance that includes one of your parents and also talk to an academic counselor a college your interested in, it can be very beneficial.</p>
<p>I also want to make note to not be extremely hard on yourself. You're at a 2.9 GPA? I was at a 2.6 GPA then, now worked up to a 4.0 GPA and am off to Amherst.</p>
<p>What you need to set yourself straight for college:</p>
<p>1) Academic Overdrive - now that you've sighted what's holding you back and have started to find solution, you really need to hit the metal, aim for 4.0 1st semester of your senior year like your life depends on it. (this semester will be your chance to prove what you can really do, and if you do DO it, the colleges WILL notice)</p>
<p>2) A Mentor - This applies mainly to your recommendations. Probably the one things that will compensate most for your earlier lack of successes are recommendations from people you are clear have/are watching your growth, especially people that will see what you put in this first semester. Your goal is to have someone in your corner that will stamp on your recommendation: "This kid will succeed." </p>
<p>The strength of your recommendations at the end of the day will really declare your potential that is not fully-apparent on your transcript. Take note of those teachers, colleagues, and adults that have always seemed to see the abilities/talent/potential/wisdom within you even when you did struggle. Be sure you keep in touch with them as you progress from now till deadline time, seek out their help, make sure they see you as you climb up the success ladder. Come time to send off that application, they can document your determination and potential.</p>
<p>3rd) The Meeting - yes, I'm not sure how it works in Jersey, but I'm here for anymore advice or if their anymore road bumps with the guidance office. (Trust me, I've hit them all :))</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all your advice! I will definetly put it into practice, including the meeting with my guidance counselor (oh boy). You've really been so helpful. :)</p>
<p>DJ Andy, I'm in a very similar situation as well. I'm also a rising senior and have been diagnosed with a learning disorder that includes ADD. I am also in the program for disabled kids and my GPA is like a 3.0 (3.3 junior year). I had a 504 Plan but all it did was give me extra time on tests, but in reality what was killing me was my slow reading, really slow doing my work in general, and my inability to pay attention in class.What I noticed when my grades started to go up that I wasnt necessarily working harder but doing things right. I worked my ass off sophomore year and got no where, but junior year, I find out how to deal with all my problems (I agree with crea8tive1, and got better grades. </p>
<p>I had pretty good SAT scores 2020 (CR: 620 M: 760 W:640), but I'm taking it again (hopefully 2200+) to make a statement to colleges that I'm smarter than my GPA even if it is through my infamous SAT. </p>
<p>Anywayz, just keep on tryin' and try and get good grades Senior year and I think its a good idea to write about in your Essay or else admission folks might think ur lazy or somethin. Its frustrating when ppl call u lazy when they see a low GPA that u really worked hard for.</p>