<p>My daughter is a junior and is currently starting homebound instruction. She had to take a medical withdrawal from 2 AP classes, which leaves her without a math for the year and without english for 1st semester. Prior to this, she was ranked in the top 3% of her class. This year, we don't know how her grades will be because she currently has Incompletes. She is interested in Trinity University in TX. Would it be better to explain her circumstances on her application or to explain it first to the admissions rep that has been assigned to her? We were told that at Trinity the assigned admissions rep does the first reading of the application. Thanks for any ideas.</p>
<p>Contact with the admission rep is probably a good idea in an extraordinary case like this one. I'll be he/she would be glad to advise you on how to handle this in the application itself.</p>
<p>I think these things should also be addressed by the college counselor at the school. Since he generally writes the school rec, the situation should be included in his blurb. I suggest that your daughter compose a letter with any pertinant facts about her situation in it and send it to this counselor with whom she should meet personally. THis way he will have the letter to refer to when explaining her situation. She should initiate contact with this counselor and meet with him this term and then again in the fall just as many kids who are applying to colleges do in ordinary situations. </p>
<p>Most apps have a section that asks about unusual situations or info that is relevant but not covered by the general questions, where she can explain the situation. I know that some parents also send a letter with more detail, since she should be straightforward and not careful not to be trying to blame things on her illness. The school's info would then dovetail the two home explanations. It would not hurt for her to talk to admissions as well, but there is that balance that should be maintained of not making her ailments what defines and describes her in the app process. Selective colleges tend to like those candidates who overcome their challenges, not make excuses for problems due to those challenges.</p>
<p>I agree with Cpt. Have your daughter write a short letter explaining the situation for the GC, and then have the counselor give a brief explanation in his rec.</p>
<p>My dd had a serious case of mono senior yr with complications. She missed a good deal of school due to misdiagnosis and the school insisting she come back for a class or two per day. In hindsight, we should have kept her home fulltime. She had to drop down from an AP class to a reg college prep level because the teacher wouldn't allow the absenses or something. She had numerous incompletes when mid-yr rpts went out. Her GC wrote about her condition and sent mid-yr rpt updates as soon as grades came in (some a month late I believe). My dd did not write about her illness in any essays. She got into all her choices and received merit scholarships at her 2 top choices so don't worry too much. MY DD chose to do a portfolio review in person (the date was a little later so it gave her extra time to prepare). The reviewer (Syracuse U) was really nice and said she got mono in college and had to skip 1st semester because she was on bedrest. I think her shared experience helped my DD.</p>
<p>Stormy - I wouldn't do anything now. The adcoms are all very busy making decisions for this year's seniors. EAII decisions for Trinity are due out February 1, followed by RD decisions. Wait until early next school year to address this issue with the area rep. I think your daughter should email the area rep (or discuss it with the adcom person during a campus visit) in september or so. Then guidance counselor should reinforce the information by including it in common ap recommendation. HTHs</p>