<p>Hello!</p>
<p>I am an international student from Scandinavia and I plan on applying to Yale, Columbia and Stanford.</p>
<p>To get straight to the point, I was away from school due to cancer, half a year, during my 11th year of 12. I am delaying my graduation to the fall of 2013, so all my grades will be ready by then when I apply, and I plan on going to France the spring/summer before college to become fluent in the language. How should I mention my illness? In the essay to Columbia e.g.? I would think it's relevant.</p>
<p>Other than that, I think my chances are good regarding grades. I've done well in some national comprtitions in economics, work experience in banking and classical guitar and football on a high level. Are Scandinavians a rare sight across the pond? :)</p>