do not lose hope in yourself

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
1

<p>hey guys
I was diagnosed with non-verbal learning disorder very early (4th grade) and have been put in special math classes every since. I have had the most excruciating time in school since then, because my math skills have been about four years behind. I am now a senior, and barely passing algebra II. Although I take refuge in English and writing, (I want to be a writer someday and have written countless stories, novels, case studies, etc) it was brutal news to hear that I will have no chance going to any school that will gear me toward my writing career. (NYU was my dream since sixth grade) The discrepancy between my math and writing SAT scores are "unheard of", according to my guidance counselor.</p>

<p>Don't believe me?
I had a 290 MATH
and 690 writing
and 10 on my essay</p>

<p>But I am not here to simply bemoan my own struggles, I want to assure all of you who have a learning disability, or if you have a son or daughter that has been diagnosed with a disorder, that you or your son\daughter has absolute unmeasurable brilliance. </p>

<p>Results on a test will not even begin to cover how incredibly gifted you are and I regret wasting my high-school career fretting about the number scores on all those SAT tests, PSAT tests, SAT prep tests, LD testing tests, going through what seemed like endless amounts of tutors and....every test imaginable.</p>

<p>I hope that whatever Learning Disability you have been labeled with will NOT hold you back like I let it do for me. Instead, I hope you let your diagnosis do the exact opposite and prove every single predictor wrong, and dominate the world.</p>

<p>I've realized being tagged with a documented learning disability is not an end all situation. Yes, you'll find yourself frustrated once the college search and application process begins, and you may be like me and be convinced that no school will take you because your not the majority. Your not the perfect SAT scores, carrying all AP courses and president of the calculus club. </p>

<p>But that's just it! You are your own minority. No one can group you in a sea of robotic applications. It's that quirk that will have your application reviewed more then once.</p>

<p>People who have learning disabilities, don't feel like the system is out to demolish you. Prove the system wrong.</p>

<p>There is absolute hope, and in five years, you will be doing exactly what you were born to do and then some. No matter what you want to do, nothing in this world can stop you and you WILL be doing just that.</p>

<p>So do me a favor, and just dominate. DOMINATE, because that test score screamed at you otherwise.</p>

<p>(please remember this post was to encourage people with diagnosed learning disorders who have been increasingly discouraged during their high school years, just like me. I hope I do not offend anyone.)</p>

2

<p>I hope that your guidance counselor’s comment was said with a bit of humor! Probably the reason why your SAT score shows an “unheard of” discrepancy is simply because any previous students like you were discouraged from even considering taking the test and applying to college. </p>

<p>But I’d still like to know why on earth you couldn’t apply to NYU with a letter from your counselor detailing the formal documentation of your LD. Is this person totally lacking in imagination? What kind of math would you have to take to graduate from NYU anyway?</p>

<p>If you have the strength to face another standardized exam, try the ACT. Better yet, check an ACT prep book out of the library and work through several of each kind of section at home to see whether you feel happier with that exam.</p>

<p>You also need to take a long hard look at the list of exam optional colleges and universities published at [The</a> National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org%5DThe”>http://www.fairtest.org) I think you will find more than one there that would like to admit a smart, articulate student like you!</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best, always. You rock!</p>

3

<p>My SAT scores were so bad that I can’t apply to college or transfer because admissions will simply look at them and discredit any work I’ve done in a community college.</p>

<p>Dominating your dreams is a lie when you’re obviously shooting for something unrealistic :/</p>

4

<p>Vehicle -</p>

<p>You need to go read the Transfer forum to get a bit more inspired about your options. Lots of colleges and universities DO NOT look at HS grades and ACT/SAT test scores if you will be entering after completing two years of community college work. Not to mention that every single community college I know of has formal guaranteed transfer agreements with one or more 4-year college(s) and/or university(ies). If you complete the required courses with the required GPA at the community college, you are automatically accepted at the cooperating college/university. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Talk to the transfer counselors at your local community college about the programs they have available.</p>

<p>The SAT is a lousy exam for a lot of people - and the makers of the exam know it, they just don’t like to admit it in public. Stop letting your performance on that exam hold your life hostage.</p>

5

<p>Awesome OP</p>

<p>Yeah, I have a mood disorder that can get on the way of my learning.</p>

<p>But I’m dealing with it and not letting it hold me back!</p>