I learned at the end of last year that both I and my mother have ADD. I also have hyperinsulinism (borderline type II diabetes), hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovarian syndrome and clinical depression. As a result of my endocrinological diseases, I missed an extreme amount of school for the past two years and as a result, my grades suffered (they also suffered because my ADD was untreated for 16 years). I will spend part of my Junior Year making up the honors/AP classes that I failed last year, as well as taking new ones. I will hopefully be able to redeem myself with my Junior and Senior grades.
The trouble is deciding whether or not to explain my illnesses to the colleges to which I apply. It is the only way to explain my poor grades, however, I feel that they will understand because I don’t have any “serious” illnesses. I don’t want admissions to think that I’m searching for sympathy and a way to explain my bad grades, but at the same time I feel like bringing up my illnesses will only make others uncomfortable and ruin my prospects.
Should I explain my issues to colleges, and if so, how can I do so without sounding like I’m making excuses?
<p>You could ask your guidance counselor to write a letter explaining that you missed a lot of school due to your illnesses.</p>
<p>Yikes! You've certainly had your sure of troubles. As CDN_dancer suggests, your GC will be your best ally on this issue if he or she will address your medical issues in the rec. Your GC will need all the details, and also the assurance that your problems are under control. </p>
<p>As you mentioned before, your junior and senior grades will be key. I think that in your situation, visiting colleges and discussing your problems and solutions with an adcom would be the way to go. You are not going to be able sweep your grades under the carpet, so being straightforward with the problems and the solutions is the way to go. </p>
<p>I don't know if you are looking at smaller schools or not, but an LAC might be willing to evaluate you with your medical issues in control, rather than including the old, bad days as well. Remember, colleges want students who will do well and contribute to the life of the college. You sound as if you want to do just that - and I think that if you carefully select your schools, at least some of them will see that.</p>
<p>The college guides all suggest that you include an explanatory note if there exists a situation like this, but they never say how. In your application packet as the adcoms see it, there is the form at the beginning followed by the attachments such as resumes/activity-lists and essays. Each of the attachments is required to have your name, SSN, and a short description of what it is. I would include a explanatory note with a title at the top such as Medical problem related to ninth and tenth grades. Be matter of fact. Above all, describe how the adversity has made you a better person, how you have coped, and how you have overcome it.</p>
<p>As others have said, you also want your GC to address it in his/her rec.</p>