I have a POTS along with another medical condition and would strongly suggest avoiding heat…
Also, send a premptive email to schools she’s interested in descibing the situation and see what their response is. When I did this, my best responses were from Reed & Swarthmore. Getting in touch with admissions not only helps you form a plan, but it is demonstrated interest which is a helpful bump.
A couple of people mentioned UGA. It is NOT a good option for a student that needs a wheelchair. It is very hilly. I’d look at schools nearby with compact, flat campuses. UGA is not that.
Right now you seem to be in the mode of “I want my dd to go through the normal selection of college process with just this little extra factor to include.”
Like others say, she will need support. Consider changing your mode to “I want to be less than 2 hours away, what is the best school for her.”
I would also look at cost as a factor as she may need to take longer than 4 years. Or maybe she can take some classes on line during summer/winter break.
You may think about how well she does now, but that is with you organizing her health care, making her food, driving her to school, comforting her. It will be different when she has to get her self around campus, get to the dining hall when she doesn’t feel well, go see a doctor on her own.
Also she needs to be able to not have to take a week or two off of a 15 week semester…my DD was in the hospital for a week and she ended up having to drop a course. She did get accommodations on making up work and getting more time, but you still have to do the work.
Since you live in Atlanta, Emory University should be considered. Lots of medical facilities nearby if needed. Also, Emory has a smaller campus (Oxford) located between Atlanta & Athens.@Mamabear204
@aphroditeayelet Thank you! My D’s been hesitant to send inquiries; your message got her over that.
@SienaRose - If she’s well enough to be far away, Claremont could be a great option.
@itsgettingreal17 - Thanks for the warning. Fortunately my D is not needing a wheelchair. Campus size has given us pause with UGA, but will apply bcs of proximity, cost, and availability of the courses she wants.
@bopper Fair description. Our approach is all about contingency. IF she’s doing better by spring (not missing school) we’d consider schools that are a flight away. We’ll apply now in hope that she’ll be well enough to go. Given the likelihood that college stress will set her back, we still want to know about topography, campus size, accommodations, etc. IF come spring she is doing no better physically, she needs to be within a short drive, if not right in-town. She’ll apply early action to UGA and GA-Tech. Very affordable if she needs to stay longer than 4 years.
@Publisher - Thank you for the suggestion - both campuses make sense.
I just happened to stumble upon your post while combing the boards for college info for my son. I am a former POTS patient, currently fully recovered for about 8 years. I had full blown POTS for 3 years. Despite being in the medical field, it took about 2 years to get formerly diagnosed, after an initial misdiagnosis of spontaneous cerebrospinal leaks and a slew of blood patches, but I digress. Today I am living a normal life at 9,000 ft altitude in Colorado, no residual symptoms. First of all, congratulations to your daughter for her accomplishments in spite of having POTS. I fully appreciate how difficult this must have been for her and for you, as her mom. I just wanted to write and give your daughter encouragement to keep pursuing her dreams. Statistically, the odds are on her side that she will eventually feel better and lead a more functional life, if not a completely normal one. My advice would be to find a school that is willing to acknowledge her medical condition, learn a little about it, and be able to accommodate her if she happens to have a flare without sacrificing quality. I wish you guys the best of luck.
@WinterIsComing21 You are so kind to share your experience. Tears and a big smile are my first reaction. Thank you for the congratulations - she is a determined young woman. I have faith we’re going to figure out a good fit. It’s just so wonderful to read the words “fully recovered.” She has big dreams. And such an intense desire to help this world. I know she will find a way. Thank you so much for writing. You made my day.