How much leeway if you are sick??

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am a current junior at a very competitive surburban HS in the Philadelphia area (We got 13 Cornells this year).</p>

<p>In the beginning of my Sophomore year, I was diagnosed with a neurological disorder in my spinal cord which causes my blood vessels around my body to constrict (including the ones around my heart and I almost died in my sophomore year). I spent alot of time in the hospital and I still go frequently now. The disease causes so much pain that according to a recent study [the McGill Pain Index] it is the most painful experience even ahead of giving birth of a child and amputation. This pain really handicaps me when listening to lectures, taking tests, etc. Most kids take 70-80 days off from school because of this, but I stayed resilient and not missed a single day. I do receive a lot of credit from my teachers/peers for my bravery and resilience. This causes my GPA to slip quite considerably compared to others who are applying to like 3.58 UW. I still take as many APs as possible and the fact that I can get 3.58 UW is quite an achievement. How much of a slack would presitigous schools such as Johns Hopkins, Georgetown (My Early Action school), and Tufts give me???? My doctors have told me that I making some progress and that I should be better in the future (just not now).</p>

<p>My SAT score is in the 1500s and my SAT IIs are 750+. My eccs are typical: Math Team, Newspaper Editor, Tennis, Volunteering.</p>

2

<p>Get your guidance counsler to write about it in his/her rec..
Also write an extenuating circumstances essay.</p>

3

<p>I'm in a very similar situation as you. Just out of curiousity, do you have RSD? cause that's my problem. I've still managed to maintain a 3.9 uw GPA so I don't really have a problem with my GPA, but my course load was significantly decreased the second semester of my sophomore year and my junior year so I'll have to explain that on my apps. I got all my credits by testing out of things.</p>

<p>The advice I was given by a professor was to have my doctor write a letter to send in with my application explaining my previous problems and how my condition has improved to the point where it would not be a major issue in a university setting. Also, he said in on of my essays to maybe reference my medical condition, but only in the context of I had this going on, but I still managed to do all this other stuff. I don't think college admissions want to read a whole essay about my depressing medical experiences unless it was the amazingly written. Just some things to think about...</p>

4

<p>bump bump bump</p>

<p>thanks for the advice so far!!</p>

5

<p>1500 out of 1600? or 2400?</p>

6

<p>My SAT score is 1500/1600 and 2200/2400</p>