hey guys. i’m a sophomore (almost junior!) in high school. in march of 2017 i was diagnosed w/ MS, and was hospitalized for around 2 months. my quarter 3 and 4 grades are, well how do you put this nicely- in the shit.
to explain my situation, my school didn’t really give me any accommodations during my hospitalization, and I had no time to catch up for those 2 quarters. my first semester was solid. around a 3.0 gpa, same with my freshman year, i had around a 3.0 GPA too. unfortunately, my disease makes it nearly impossible to do extracurriculars, and that hurts me, and my chances of getting into college. this year, i ended up with a 2.6 cumulative GPA, and i feel awful. any suggestions?
I’m so sorry to hear that 
Colleges will understand though. Just make sure to include that info with your application.
thank you. i really hope they do, but i don’t have an IEP or 504, no accommodations whatsoever…will the diagnosis even apply to me if i don’t have it on my school’s record? in the school’s eyes im a perfectly normal kid 
Colleges will consider it even without an IEP. Try your best junior year and show that you are capable despite your setbacks. Best of luck to you.
Is your school a public school? If so, it is LEGALLY REQUIRED to offer accomodations - such as retaking the second semester exams, extending deadlines, offering comfortable test taking situation, extra time, etc. If your school won’t provide what you’re entitled to, look up the person in charge of defending your rights in the district. Have your parents advocate for you. Contact the person in charge of your rights and make sure they’re defended, including for this Spring semester. (If it were me, your school’s principal and GC would also receive what the British call “a bollocking”). These are your rights. A severely sick child must receive accomodations, from teachers sent to the hospital or the home during crises to all kinds of in-school accomodations.
Next, make sure you have an IEP.
The colleges will take it into account,with or without a IEP, but what happened makes me very angry on your behalf - I am sorry that not only do you bear a difficult diagnostic, but your school is trampling on your rights on top of it and it’s just wrong on so many levels.
thank you for the advice. apparently according to my school they did give me “accommodations” which was basically me just seeing my counselor and getting permitted to not take one test b/c i was in the hospital…i have no idea what to do and how to fix this, and my parents are confused too.
Did you call an official ADA representative ? Your district’s disability representative ?
No, what they did doesn’t qualify for accommodation. They are trying to abuse the fact you don’t know your rights and have no advocate.
I agree that it would be worth your parents getting some support to fight the fact that you were not supported or given the accomodations you needed.
But, what you may need to do in the future is start at Community College…Take the minimum full time load (12 credits) so you won’t be overloaded in case you have health issues. Do well and then transfer to your state school (hopefully not super far away so you can get support from your parents if need be).
Colleges will understand. I am so sorry. Just keep trying your best and show colleges that this wont hold you back. good luck!!