How to show ADHD diagnosis on your application?

<p>If I remember correctly, I got diagnosed with ADHD in the middle of my junior year twice. (The first diagnosis was kinda sketchy, and the second one was from a test, but they were diagnoses from real psychiatrists.) Would I just put that in the additional info section of my common app? I'm planning on putting something else there so I'm not sure what to do. Thanks.</p>

<p>Be very careful about mentioning ADHD, unless you had significant deficits and received medical treatment during high school. It is an overused diagnosis. If you took standardized tests under special circumstances (that is you successfully petitioned for extra time due to well-documented ADHD treatment, than it makes sense to briefly mention it - your scores get flagged, obviously. It seems like half of my patients- of all ages- ask me if they have ADHD, and everyone wants Adderall.</p>

<p>Actually, scores do not get flagged anymore for extra time. There was some type of lawsuit several years ago, so no more flagging.</p>

<p>You need to think about why you are revealing the diagnosis. You are allowed to but don’t have to. For instance, if your grades significantly improved after diagnosis and starting meds, that would be a really good reason to mention it. If it explains certain patterns in your records it might be helpful, but not if it only makes them think you’ll be repeating the same patterns. You don’t need to reveal on the application to ask for accommodations in college, but can do so after you are accepted. So think about the pros and cons before you decide.</p>

<p>chaos</p>

<p>I think this is a guidance counselor issue. First there is the question of whether this should be part of your app. I think you should ask your guidance counselor.</p>

<p>Next – if it should be mentioned, how? Again, I think your guidance counselor can be of great help here if s/he puts this in the GC Recommendation letter, It will bring it to a college’s attention, and will do so in a way so that it doesn’t look like you’re specifically raising it.</p>