<p>Your school counselor should be the one to let the college know about your medical situation. I would suggest that YOU write a letter to her, explaining your illness, and how it affected you and your school work. If you want to mention it in an essay where it could be relevant, that would be a good supplement. I don't think a doctor's letter, parents' letter, your letter would have as much of an impact, and may look like you are making excuses. Also your school counselor may know who to target at your state U's admission's office so that he could direct the letter to him. The larger state U's often do not examine the apps carefully, just culling the grades/rank, test scores. I don't believe they read most of the essay, and little emphasis is put on them. The more selective state U's and honors programs may be exceptions.</p>
<p>You could use an independent counselor to find out how to best target the school counselor's info in case the school counselor does not know. I suggest if you are hiring a counselor, you ask up front along with the pricing, if he has this info. It would be a waste of your money if he does not since this is the issue you want addressed. I think Northstarmom's "point 1" is very important. Your first priority is your health, and when you pick a college it should have the medical support available if you need it. This information also should go in your letter to the highschool counselor.</p>
<p>These days using private college counselors is comparable to what used to be tutoring for the SATs. Now the schools all expect a student to study, take a prep course, and most offer information and even programs for that purpose. Most kids who use a private counselor keep the info to themselves, not even telling the highschool counselor.</p>