Hey CC’ers
I was diagnosed with Kidney(renal) cancer in the end of 8th grade. My mom had it and I was the unfortunate one between me and my sister. I struggled getting good grades…I currenty am a junior in a very competitve highschool(top 20 in nation) with a 3.3 unweighted gpa. My extra curriculars are awesome(all related to programming) .but my grades are average. I missed alot of school due to checkups and therapy, which affected my grades drastically. Additionally, i had to follow a strict diet to counteract the problems with my cancer. I was undergoing depression mid-sophmore year. My sat score is a 2150 but i am going to take it again.
I am just curious, do I have a shot at a decent school?
Thank you!
No, cancer won’t “help” you get into college. However, since your therapies have affected your grades, your guidance counselor can include information about that in his/her letter. But be aware that that kind of information is not going to give you a huge boost.
Keep focused on your grades. They are the most important factor in college admission.
I havent talked to my GC about it yet. should i? @happymomof1
Yes. You should speak with your GC. In fact, you and your parents should have spoken with your GC the second you got your diagnosis. Depending on how much time you missed from school, there may have been some accommodations that would have been available to you.
Your GPA and your current SAT score will get you into a lot of places. There even are some where they would guarantee you significant merit-based aid. When you meet with your GC to talk about your “dream” and “match” schools, don’t forget to leave that meeting with a list of dead-on safety schools so that you have good options this time next year.
Here is a list to look at: http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
IF you have tip top grades, and great test scores, DESPITE the cancer and all of the issues that go with that, that would be something taken into consideration. For the most selective schools, no accommodation given for any deficits but points added to an already excellent profile. Brooke Ellison is an example. Her grades and test scores, as well as her other academic achievements were right up at the top. She was accepted to Harvard over some classmates who with similar and better numbers, but she had the challenging situation that made her stand out.
I am sorry to hear that. But getting cancer itself probably would not help much your chance. It does give you a situation that can show how you deal with life challenge and may enrich your essay. These may help your chance though.