<p>I have always been an A student, with high proficient on my NJ ASK all thought grammar school. I am looking to study Business in college. I am leaning towards accounting however will go in as business undecided to see what field of business suits me best .Freshman year (Fall 2011), I took all college-prep courses and was getting straight A's first marking period however I got severely sick with periodic fevers of 105 every month along with joint pains, that would keep me out of school for a week per month. Doctors could not find what was wrong from September through January. In January 2012, I missed almost the entire month of school due to having severe abdominal pains. After being rushed to the hospital, they discovered it was a cyst that would need to burst on its own, and also noticed abnormalities in my blood work, pointing to a kidney disease. I continued to miss school until mid February 2012 when the cyst bursted (worst pain I ever experienced) on top of my monthly fever. I continued with the periodic fevers until July 2012, however meanwhile was diagnosed with a kidney disease in May 2012. In conclusion my grades dropped severely for I was unable to make up work in time, and the school administration failed 2 of my classes one marking period and gave me minimal work (just enough to pass) so I would not have to make up that much work while battling the progressing sickness. My final grade (all classes) was a C-. </p>
<p>August 2012 I went on medication for my kidneys, which treated them and also knocked out the fevers. I was able to attend school from the first day in September, to right before Thanksgiving 2012. Due to severe joint pain, abdominal pain and migraines, I was placed on home instruction (where teachers come to my house and teach/give me the work my classmates are doing). One day in March 2013, I miraculously felt better, and hoped my sickness had gone away. After a month of constant overall health, I returned to school mid-April however started feeling sick again, and was placed back on home instruction for the remainder of the school year. As final grades I finished with a 95% in Chemistry, 88% in English, 85% in Geometry, 83% in Spanish 1, and 86% in US History 1. (Also received a 93% in my Business Organization Management course). Most marking periods I did receive A's however a few tests in the final marking periods lowered the grades to B's. Overall, I felt I did well considering my circumstances.</p>
<p>My sickness never got better over the summer of 2013, if anything worse, so upon starting Junior year, my attendance was already inconsistent. I tried my hardest to fight through my sickness and pains however by the end of October, I realized this could not continue and home instruction was the only option in order to not fall behind. No teachers were available for home instruction, so I was placed on all online courses for 4/5 of my subjects (Physics, US History 2, Algebra 2, and Spanish 2). English 3 I have on home instruction where a teacher comes to the house. I expect to finish this year with A's in Physics, History, Algebra and Spanish and a B in English. Hopefully will end the year with an A- final grade. I am also taking an Honors Accounting course which is already done online regardless of being in school or out, and am aiming to get an A in that class. Recently it showed that my kidneys (which were under control) may be getting destroyed again, so hopefully with many more doctor's visits and testing, they can find another treatment.</p>
<p>I will be taking the March, May and September 2014 SAT's. I score well on standardized tests, and based on practice tests and PSAT results, my projected score is around 1750. I am hoping to get this up to at least an 1800 if not more. I am a strong writer, which should benefit me in the Writing component of the SAT's as well as the Application Essays.</p>
<p>Assuming my junior year finishes with an A- average, and my senior year ends with minimum of an A- average as well, will I still be able to get into a good college? I have heard colleges like to see an upward curve and prefer a student struggle the first year rather than Sophomore and Junior year. Will colleges take into consideration my circumstances that I have been battling a chronic illness hence my grades and absences freshman year? Although I am unable to participate in school clubs (not being in school) and physical activity (due to my medical condition), I do volunteer to feed the homeless several times a year. I am also looking to volunteer at a hospital (New York Presbyterian) specifically in the pediatrics department. I feel as though this would be a good place to volunteer since I can (partially) relate to the children suffering with their illnesses. I am a patient who visits many doctors at New York Presbyterian as well as Special Surgery Hospital. My pediatrician will be writing a letter for college explaining all that I have been through these past few years. I can also receive a letter from my Kidney doctor from New York Presbyterian explaining her part on my illness. My guidance counselor mentioned when this all began, that she would write a letter explaining what has happened to me from a school perspective. Will this be enough?</p>
<p>My dream school is University of Miami. As this is a very good school, it will be a bit of a reach for me to be admitted. Based on my research, Miami strongly considers "glowing letters of recommendation". In addition to my doctors letters and my guidance counselor's letter, I can also receive a letter of recommendation from my English teacher (taught me on home instruction for the past 3 years), my business teacher (had freshman year for CIA and this year for Accounting Honors. If I do decide to go straight into accounting, he will be an even larger help having taught me Accounting and having studied Accounting in college himself.) I may be able to get a letter from a former History teacher of mine however this is not guaranteed. They also look deeply into extracurricular activities. Again, since I am not in school and my body cannot handle physical activity, I am limited with my options. Hoping feeding the homeless as well as volunteering at a hospital will suffice considering my situation. Any advice/knowledge?</p>
<p>My other top school is Rutgers University - New Brunswick. This is also a relatively good school. Although grade/statistically wise this college is a better match, they do not accept letters of recommendation. I understand their reasoning behind not accepting letters of recommendation (30,000+ students), however I am just wondering if they will accept letters from a doctor (and/or guidance counselor) explaining a students medical history? Rutgers also does not have interviews as part of the admissions process, again most likely due to the amount of students. Would they be willing to do an interview for a person under my circumstances to better explain as to why their grades/absences were what they were? Any knowledge or advice?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for taking your time to read this. Any help is greatly appreciated. </p>