College Suggestions-High GPA-Low SAT/ACT-ADHD

<p>D is applying to colleges...she received 504 due to ADHD in 1st grade but she was unable to get SAT accommodations (long story)....she omitted 30 questions on SAT..thus low score but she has a high GPA (and two college courses with grade of "A"). </p>

<p>Are there any colleges that really understand ADHD kids and their struggles, who are forgiving with regard to the SAT?</p>

<p>We are aware of the SAT optional schools, just want to make sure she is not missing any other schools that may offer opportunities for a bright kid who doesn't test well!</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>I don’t have an answer (my ADHD kid had the opposite profile), but will she take it again? Take the ACT? Sometimes the ACT is better for low SAT/high GPA kids.</p>

<p>Look at: THE K&W GUIDE TO COLLEGES FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES OR ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER.</p>

<p>Any way she could get extra time for another testing date? I was diagnosed with a LD in June and was able to get accomodations for the October test date.</p>

<p>Shrink-She did take the ACT, basically did the same on both tests</p>

<p>Nanakw-We will try to find that book, thanjs for the suggestion</p>

<p>Raider-The school psychologist did an evaluation and among other things said she would not do any better with extra time…so I don’t think so</p>

<p>In addition, she is graduating a year early from HS and is looking to start college in the spring (January) semester…has applied to some schools and will apply to others in August when most school beginning accepting spring apps…</p>

<p>That’ll probably be my D2 rising hs sophomore, though she’s not taken any standardized testing yet. Are you concerned just about admissions? Or are you also looking for a place that will be supportive over her college career?</p>

<p>SlitheyTove - At this point we are more concerned about her just getting in and admitted somewhere, where she will be happy. The “supportive” aspect she can work out once she gets in. It is just an unfortunate situation because she is bright and does well in school but tests poorly. She had considered going to a CC and then transferring to a 4 year school but with the inability to get classes in CA CC’s…we are backing off of this idea. We are awaiting to hear if CSU’s will be admitting in the Spring…she may just end up at SFSU…she is OK with that option and with her GPA she can probably get in.</p>

<p>She seems very intelligent. Why the gap on standardized tests is baffling even with extra time.</p>

<p>I would shoot high and start talking to the heads of each university student disability center.</p>

<p>Can she do the work at a second tier school?</p>

<p>I would research student support at each school and see where she is comfortable.</p>

<p>Why graduate a year early?</p>

<p>Her brain is still developing.</p>

<p>This may be the blind leading the blind :), since I’ve only been poking into this for the last few months for a child who is a couple years away from applying for colleges…I’ve been trawling through this forum for suggestions, along with the Colleges That Change Lives consortium, the test-optional lists, and the Jewish “B” student forum. </p>

<p>Would your D be interested in U Arizona or ASU? The SAT scores aren’t as high, and there is room for “growth”, in the sense that there are more academically demanding options available. U Arizona has the (extra expense) SALT center on the incoming side to offer support, ASU has the Barrett Honors College which could be something she could possibly gain entrance into in time. </p>

<p>Has your D had any test prep tutoring? Finding a good one-on-one tutor might be worth the $$$ if it can give her the skills that would bring up her scores to be more in line with her smarts. </p>

<p>One other book suggestion is “College Confidence with ADD: The Ultimate Success Manual for ADD Students, from Applying to Academics, Preparation to Social Success and Everything Else You Need to Know” by Michael Sandler. It’s not a list of schools for ADHD/ADD kids; it’s more about how a student should look for fit, and how they can cope with different issues in different types of classes. I got a copy for D2 and she gave it a big thumbs-up.</p>

<p>SileyTove-Thanks for the book suggestions, I just ordered College Confidence with ADD: The Ultimate Success Manual for ADD Students. (And I will have her brother read it before he heads off to his sophomore year). </p>

<p>I have checked out the same threads here on CC as you. She has started out by applying to WUE schools and those where she could maybe get some $$, thus far applications sent to:</p>

<p>Arizona State
University of New Mexico
Western Washington
Evergreen State
University of Colorado, Denver</p>

<p>She is still researching east coast schools;</p>

<p>She will apply to CSU schools starting August 1, </p>

<p>and yes, U of A…just waiting to hear first from other schools. He brother got into ASU and U of A last year with a much lower GPA, so we know that those schools are in her range…it is just that out of state tuition is crazy…so looking at CA school or private that will give her $$.</p>

<p>And Frit, you ask why graduate early, she is ready and as of tomorrow will need only 2 more HS classes, why not get out there now…and she has taken 2 college courses at a CSU, she received A’s in both so we know she can compete…</p>

<p>So back to my original question, are there any schools out there that we are missing?</p>

<p>Ask on the main parent forum, as well. More eyeballs. :)</p>