<p>I already posted this up in chances forum but I thought it'd be better here.</p>
<p>I've got a very low GPA so would a high SAT score make up for this? I am currently a junior and these are projected stats. And my ADHD also contributes to my GPA. Would mentioning this help? or is it not good to mention?</p>
<p>Here we go:</p>
<p>SAT I: 2310
SAT IIs: Math II 800, and another two probably 700+
Rank:We don't rank
School: Public, fairly competitive in canada, so far we have 3 ppl going to ivies next yr(by ED)</p>
<p>GPA: (low..)
9: 86%
10: 77% - eating disorder but will not disclose
11: 84%
12: around 90% (hopefully)
(A is 80-100%)</p>
<p>Recs: Not sure if it will be good</p>
<ul>
<li>Korean female living in Toronto, Canada</li>
</ul>
<p>Essays: Thinking about writing bout my ADD and how it makes me different and all over the place(if i decide to disclose) and another one about one of my EC (multicultural show)</p>
<p>Volunteering/ECs:
- 60 hours in school board's international language school
- Relay for Life volunteer, an event held by Canadian Cancer Society as a fundraiser - 1 year
- Multicultural Show Dancer/Performer - 2 years
- Multicultural Show Executive (Manage performers, dancers, call practices) - 1 year
- a 12 hour dance-a-thon Executive; fundraiser for a Christmas party held at our school for underprivileged kids - 2 years
- Volunteered for Christmas Party for underpriviledged kids - 4 years
- Multicultural Dinner Executive- 2 years (in charge of putting together food for a large dinner for 300 people), and volunteered for this in grade 9 and 10
- youth symphony orchestra (violin) - 3 years
- Concert Band - Soprano Saxophone Soloist - 1 year
- Nursing home Volunteer (about 3 hours a week) - 2 years
- Was in a committee that organized a science olympic for local elementary students held at our school - 2 years
- Track and Field(long distance runner) - 2 years</p>
<p>Work Experience:
- Worked at a convenience store as a cashier for 2 1/2 years, 11 hours a week
- Tutored math (about 2 hours a week)</p>
<p>Clubs:
Science Club - 2 years
Computer Science Club - 3 years</p>
<p>Other stuff:
- Fryer Canadian Mathematics Contest - Gold standard (Top 4% in Canada)
- Galois Canadian Mathematics Contest - Gold Standard (Top 4% in Canada)
- Qualified for AIME - 3 years from 9th grade
- attended McTic (Math Challenge Team Invitational Competition) - 4 years
- attended ARML - 2 years
- Attended many science olympiads held by universities in Canada</p>
<p>Your SAT score is very nice, and your ec's look descent (though the number of years involved is mostly 1 or 2 years).</p>
<p>And as you pointed out urself, your high school grades place you in a very difficult situation. But who knows, your SAT score might cover your GPA up, so try to get 90%+ in your 12th grade year.</p>
<p>I wish you good luck, and I think you have a shot!</p>
<p>I'm not trying to shatter any dreams here, but a great SAT score and exceptional contest performance will not cover a bad GPA/school grades. The Canadian pool is extremely tight, and I already know some Canadian applicants to Columbia who has far better grades and comparable scores/contest ranks - just to let you know that you will face extreme odds.</p>
<p>that's so ignorant I don't even know where to begin. I'm seriously speechless.</p>
<p>It's true that there is a spectrum, where some people are mildly ADD and some are severely ADD. But to pretend it doesn't have a profound impact on one's life is just plain ignant. Sorry.</p>
<p>That said, I still wouldn't mention it because it sounds to most people like excuse-making. You wouldn't mention dyslexia, for example. If it's a physical impairment you're dealing with that's different, I think, and worth mentioning.</p>
<p>I have combined type ADD. I didn't mention it in my app because i didn't want a pity admission. Having ADD isn't easily manageable. It takes a long time to find the proper medication and dosage. I was just diagnosed and am using 5mg amphetamines (Adderall is too expensive- $140 for 2 months). They don't work at all and since it's a controlled substance I have to gradually raise my dosage every few months. ADD messed up my english grades, writing and critical reading SAT scores. I'm applying SEAS though, and my interviewer told me that a weakness in english won't hurt my chances too much. Still, I try my best in my english classes and only manage a B-. I do challenge myself though and take Honors/AP English so Columbia should respect my effort.</p>
<p>And I have no idea how you were able to get those SAT scores... You must have been so doped up on amphetamines. The Critical Reading section is the worst.. All the passages were hard to read, I kept losing concentration, and had to read the passages about 4 times get the main idea.</p>
<p>Yes, ADHD is manageable, but it is NOT easily manageable. It is a life disability. Meds don't work for many people, or it's hard to find the right med. (or people cannot afford to pay the expensive ADHD meds!)</p>
<p>I'm a terrible reader too, I cannot read more than a paragraph without floating off unless it's really interesting. Critical reading sections are my least favourite. Reading slowly in small chunks and doing questions help a lot. and also getting interesting topics helps me too(topics related to history puts me right off). I also used ear plugs during the test because little things really bother me(like papers rustling, other people's sneezes/coughs etc)</p>
<p>Im currently not on any meds because my mom doesn't want to pay almost $200 a month for something she doesn't even believe in. Plus I could never really stick to taking meds every day anyway.</p>
<p>ADD is so much worse than everyone makes it out to be. I hate it when people say proudly that they have ADD, it makes me want to bash their heads against the walls. They really don't know what it feels like to try thinking of words when they write essays, or try reading something that they don't feel like reading. Or when you try to read something and it doesn't even register in your brain. ADD sucks!</p>
<p>
[quote]
ADD is so much worse than everyone makes it out to be. I hate it when people say proudly that they have ADD, it makes me want to bash their heads against the walls. They really don't know what it feels like to try thinking of words when they write essays, or try reading something that they don't feel like reading. Or when you try to read something and it doesn't even register in your brain. ADD sucks!
[/quote]
There are many subjects on which I have limited or no knowledge; in those cases I normally avoid comment or say only what I am sure of.</p>
<p>In this case, I can state without equivocation: You have absolutely no clue what you are talking about. None. You haven't the slightest idea of the neurochemical differences between an ADD brain and a 'normal' brain (if there is such a thing), you couldn't tell me the difference between beta and theta brain waves without googling it, and you damn sure don't know what it's like to try to operate day-to-day with an ADD brain.</p>
<p>Go read some Hallowell, and then feel free to come back here and be all snide. But until then, nobody wants to hear your half-baked prejudices.</p>
<p>I will be honest and tell you that I have no idea (and never have or tried to say that i knew) what beta and theta brain waves are or anything about neurochemical differences. I just wrote that I have ADD (I have seen a psychiatrist) and the way it corrupts my thought processes. I had no clue it would provoke someone in such a way..</p>
<p>On the original topic, your chances are not high. But there's a chance if you write a really great essay. But yeah definitely apply to other safeties/matches.</p>
<p>Holy cow. I completely misread mariuz360's post. I read it and interpreted it as him trying to make the exact opposite point he made - I thought he was saying it wasn't a big deal, and he was saying it WAS a big deal. And then I went on a quick rant.</p>
<p>Wow. I apologize, that was obnoxious of me. I must've been tired that night.</p>