<p>DS began taking medicine for ADHD in November 2008. His grades improved dramatically, especially second semester junior year and, now, first quarter senior year. His standardized test scores (31 ACT, 1450/1600 SAT) are quite a bit better than his gpa (3.0uw/3.25w) might suggest they should be. Assuming an explanation for both the improvement and the disparity may help his chances for admittance, we want to address the ADHD on his college apps. What do you think of this statement:</p>
<p>"It is with hesitation that I note that I was identified with and began medical treatment for a learning disability in November of 2008 for which I have not received and do not need accommodations."</p>
<p>Actually, your son did not get medical treatment for a learning disability. He got medical treatment for ADHD. Perhaps the ADHD contributed to his learning issues…but LD is not a medical issue…it’s educational.</p>
<p>Oh, thanks. So this would be okay you think?</p>
<p>“It is with hesitation that I note that I was identified with and began medical treatment for ADHD in November of 2008 for which I have not received and do not need accommodations.”</p>
<p>I’m not liking the “with hesitation” part but I’m not sure how to describe why I’m not liking it. It either suggests that he is embarrassed or is concerned that the school will hold it against him. I would not want to suggest either. I would perhaps like to see a more confident, matter of fact statement, along these lines. This is completely a gut reaction and I have no personal knowledge of how this issue should be handled. </p>
<p>“You will note an upturn in my grades for the fall semester of 2008. It was at this time that I was identified with and began medical treatment for a learning disability. I have not received, nor am I asking for accommodations.”</p>
<p>Edited to add - this was done before Thumper’s concerns, which should also be addressed as ADHD is not a learning disability.</p>
<p>I think it makes sense to mention it, because it explains why his GPA does not match up, so to speak, with his test scores. I had a similar situation when I did my applications because I was diagnosed with an LD late in the game and I think noting that helped my applications. I would just make sure that your S’s “hesitation” does not keep him from really hammering the point home that the disparity between his test scores and his GPA is because of a late discovery of ADHD and that he feels his test scores more adequately reflect his true abilities. That is not an issue he needs to feel afraid to touch. That is something the adcoms need to know.</p>
<p>ETA: I really agree with the above poster. That is the tone I took with my own applications. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is either, but I guess I might feel like saying you hesitate to mention it is going to downplay it and make it seem like you don’t want it to be thought of as a big deal-- and it is, it caused a notable discrepancy between his grades and his test scores that is not caused by laziness or lack of motivation like what they may assume.</p>
<p>Excellent point, Cartera. The “hesitation” was out of concern the school would hold it against him. Thank you for pointing out the potential to offend that underlies it’s use. We’ll go with something more matter of fact, as you suggest.</p>
<p>Yes, I think the emphasis should be on the uptick in performance due to ADHD being dealt with. This would encourage the adcoms to disregard or at least give less weight to the earlier GPA and concentrate on the improved grades.</p>
<p>“You will note an upturn in my grades beginning in the fall semester of 2008. It was at this time that I was diagnosed with ADHD and began receiving medical treatment.”</p>
<p>That should do it. And I am assuming that the uptick was not a one-shot event a whole year ago but is continuing.</p>
<p>Since ADHD is considered a disability (though not an LD) under law, perhaps the following would do for the first sentence: “You will note an upturn in my grades for the fall semester of 2008. It was at this time that I was diagnosed with and began medical treatment for a disability which had previously impaired my academic performance.” This approach avoids the mention of ADHD, which many consider to be over diagnosed and/or used as a handy excuse by underachievers. I wouldn’t risk the chance the an adcom reading the application might have that prejudice, consciously or subconsciously. (FYI, D has both ADHD and an LD, so I am not a novice in this area.)</p>
<p>I would rather specify the disability. No one in admissions is going to think twice about ADHD. My closest friend is the head of health services at a selective LAC - you have no idea how many kids are on meds for ADHD. It is truly no big deal. In fact, everyone is very happy when they are apprised and the student recognizes the need to continue to be monitored. So, you are right, it might be over-diagnosed, but it does not cause undue alarm.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you don’t specify, they will wonder just what has been diagnosed.</p>
<p>We did specify and used nearly the verbiage Cartera suggested. Yes, Marite, DS’s grades remain strong (he’s finishing first quarter will all A’s and A-'s in 4 AP’s, a dual enrollment class, and, the A we could always count on, marching band). I can scarcely believe the turn around–not to mention the peaceful atmosphere that reins at home. No more badgering, reminding, checking-up, etc. </p>
<p>Over diagnosed as it is, I resisted addressing the problem for far too long buying into the “if he’d only apply himself” nonsense. He says he worked way harder before medication…but to no avail.</p>
<p>We had a question about whether or not to mention S’s ADD when he was applying. Since Dave Berry is a professional admissions counselor we thought it worthwhile to “hire” him for an hour of counseling (it was very reasonable by the hour) to ask all those stray questions we wanted an expert opinion on.</p>
<p>That was one of them. There were others. We found it very beneficial.</p>
<p>I would tell you his response, but my S’s case is so different from yours, I don’t think it would be relevant. </p>
<p>But he would certainly know when this info was helpful, when it sounded like an excuse, and how and when to best phrase it in the admissions process.</p>
<p>I know how to write. I don’t always know the mind-set of the folks reading the admissions files of the kids. He does, and therefore, I think his opinion would be most helpful here.</p>
<p>I am afraid to offer mine for reasons stated above.</p>
<p>I will say that S does have ADD and very good admissions results, so no discouragement from me.</p>