<p>Hello CC Members,
Ive been lurking on here for a while and I thought it was about time to join. I hope youre getting the letters youve been hoping for. I will start off by telling you that I am not your typical student. For a long time Ive been very lost in this college process, but after reading your posts I am hoping to gain some direction and insight.<br>
Although I am intelligent by every teachers account, events in my life have driven me away from a normal education. Looking at my transcript it would appear that I am bi-scholar . My sudden changes in GPA from one year to another directly correspond to serious issues in my life. I have chronic health problems that cause me to frequently miss school and my mother has been hospitalized three times during my high school career. I will tell you my history not for your sympathy, but for your guidance. I dont know much about college admissions and my parents are less than helpful. I hope that you can offer me some advice as to how to proceed.<br>
My mother lost much of her eyesight and brain function when I was six years old. She was not able to read to me or drive me as a child. As a result of my mothers long hospital stays my family has spent upwards of a million dollars on medical bills. My single income family is in the top income bracket, but due to medical bills we dont actually have as much money as one would think. My mothers medical problems did not begin or end when I was six. She had cancer before I was born and since her brain damage she has drowned, suffered renal failure, heart failure, and has had breathing problems. As the oldest child with a very busy father this has severely impacted my academic career. My grades swing back and forth from As to Ds usually reaching their lowest directly after or during one of my moms long hospitals stays. I cant tell you how much rushing your mother to the hospital because she isnt breathing, calling her doctors, calling the family, and trying to make sure your brother is doing his homework distracts a high school student from doing her own homework or studying for her own tests.
I have my own medical issues to add to my mothers. I have extreme migraines, chronic allergies, and a very weak immune system. This all ads up to me missing a ton of school. Until my senior year I attended a very large high school. At the end of my junior year I applied to a concurrent college and high school program, but since none of my friends were accepted I expected to be rejected as well. To my delight I was accepted. I started off doing well, but I got sick and missed most of the last month of first semester. The school wouldnt let me take my finals and I took my GED. I am now taking courses at a junior college and I have a very messed up transcript. I am learning to deal with my health issues and I am getting As in all of my college classes. My ideal school would be Penn, but I know that thats a big reach for someone with my record. I am hoping to apply to Penn, Emory, Notre Dame, Rice, Vanderbilt, and University of Virginia along with some safeties and state schools. I have a lot of extra-curriculars and teachers willing to write me recommendations. Maybe Im being unrealistic, but Im intelligent and driven.
If I get a 4.0 at my community college and apply as a junior transfer do you think I have a chance at any of the schools I want?
Do you have any suggestions concerning finances? I come from a high income family, but Ill be putting myself through college. Should I move out in order to be eligible for financial aid? Is asking for financial aid going to hurt my chances at schools that are already going to be difficult for me to get into? </p>
<p>THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BOTHERING TO READ THIS!</p>