So my mom has been sick for a while now. It started towards the end of my junior year (this year). We’re not sure what it is yet, but sometimes she can’t breathe well and she needs a lot of assistance doing normal tasks. Since my dad works far away and only comes home weekends, I’m the one who is taking care of her all the time, and it was beginning to reflect poorly on my grades. I’d come home and make sure she was okay, then do homework, then take care of her, then do more homework. I’d get two, three hours of sleep every night, maximum. I presume it also negatively affected my AP/IB scores. This summer I’m unable to go anywhere for internships, college programs, etc. because 1) they cost too much and we need the money for my mom’s hospital visits and 2) I need to watch over her. I’m disappointed because I wanted to go so many places, but now I’m not doing anything that’ll make me a competitive candidate when college apps come around. Not that that’s absolutely important to me–my mom is my number one priority–but it’s still rather significant. Is there any way I can communicate my circumstances to colleges when apps come around? I have other things I want to talk about with my essay and interviews and stuff. I don’t want this to take center stage, at all, but I want them to realize I’ve been through a lot in these few months, and I’ve had to grow up and sacrifice so much of my time and attention. Please let me know. Thank you for your input.
You will want to discuss this issue in the “additional information” section of your application, and it should also be mentioned in your counselor’s letter.
I am concerned in the short term about your health, lack of sleep and heavy responsibilities. Is there a grandparent, aunt or other relative who can help out and give you a break?
@siliconvalleymom thank you for your concern, it means a lot to me. We’re going to hospitalize her soon or send her to live with relatives. Also, I’ll be sure to include that in the additional information, but is it completely necessary to let my counselor know?
No, you have a choice about revealing private family information, either to your counselor or as part of the admissions process. If you are sharing this information with colleges, it is probably a good idea to let your counselor know because they may be phoned to discuss the issues. Why do you feel reluctant to let your counselor know?
Talk to your GC.
I know a family where several kids and the mother are chronically ill, and the senior himself has mild medical issues that are disruptive. The GC is aware of it and wrote up a few sentences about it in his reference letter.
If you don’t want your GC to know, and you have known your GC for a few years, why on Earth would you let complete strangers at a university know about it?
I would not worry about summer programs - if you can work in the summer part-time, that would be a great EC builder.