I’m a junior right now planning to apply to an extremely selective university. My first year in high school was at a private school specifically for people with autism that offered no advanced classes, so it makes my weighted GPA look extremely weak. If I wrote my common app about autism and the social concerns of it all, could I possibly use this as a way to explain my weak classes in freshman year? Is it even okay to mention autism on any supplementary essay to elite schools?
Why did you write a common app essay already if you are a junior? And personally I probably wouldn’t mention autism. Look for things that are unusual about you that would make them want you on campus.
You can ask your GC to mention that your 9th grade school didn’t offer advanced classes in their recommendation. Remember that most top schools look at your unweighted GPA, too.
OP states he has not written the essay yet, but is considering whether or not to refer to autism as a factor in the first year high school grades.
@Charybdis8 That depends: If the rest of your grades and your standardized test scores are up to snuff for the schools you apply to, then I don’t see why you couldn’t write about how autism effected your first year grades and what you did to overcome that hardship.
Your talent and careful writing will play a role in how that comes off.
In general, there is no right answer to what you can and can’t have as an essay topic. It’s your personal essay: Who you are, how you write, and your insights and wisdom are critical qualities. The schools want to know who you are based on your life experiences–which is not a question you can answer in general, objective terms.
Superficial essays that try to paint a “positive” picture of a student can come off seeming artificial, sanctimonious, or self-agrandizing–that’s a profile you don’t want. Be genuine, dig deep, and be aware of how your admissions reader may interpret what you say.
Have at least one well-educated, objective reader preview your essay before you send it off.
–Also choose your recommenders discerningly, and have your volunteer work and ECs ready and right.
There are many aspects to pull together for success in the admissions process.
Good luck!