<p>I have a really low GPA and it is attributed to the fact that I have Attention Deficit Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder. Until my final month in high school, I had no idea what I had and what was wrong. The result: poor grades. I was going to school without the ability to focus making it impossible for me to succeed. This may sound like a lame excuse for laziness, but I couldn't help it. Now, I am on medication and all is well. I can now focus without worrying about who touched my desk, why won't this eraser mark come off my paper, why is there a smudge on the blackboard, what is on the bottom of my shoe, is my chair clean, who has sat here and I don't think of ridiculous questions such as: if I tap that will I die?.....</p>
<p>So, here is my question:</p>
<p>Should I include an essay in my Application that describes my bout with these diseases and how I have overcome it. That way it can show off who I am and at the same time, have it create an explanation for my far less than perfect grades?</p>
<p>Make sure your guidance counselors and teachers who are writing your recommendations know it, too, so they can comment on how much you've improved since then.</p>
<p>You may want to consider a doctor's note. I don't know. Anyone else?</p>
<p>Rehr, Theoneo is right: this is something that should be addressed by the guidance counselor who will be writing your recommendations. </p>
<p>If you also want to mention it in your application, I personally would not do it in the main essay, but in the section available on most applications where you are asked if there is anything you want to add about special circumstances affecting your academic preparation. Even then, be very, very careful to avoid sounding whiney or like a victim. You must also clearly show how you have overcome your disability, and it must be more than "I'm on meds now so I'm fine" --- offer concrete examples, such as improved grades or projects you've completed that you might not have been able to do before. It is also important to show that you have taken responsibility for your disability - explain strategies that you are now using to cope or that you plan to use to cope in college (and by strategies I mean something besides the meds). In short, you must give colleges a reason to believe that this problem will not interfere with your academic future.</p>
<p>You can then use the main essay to let the admissions committee see you as a person who is not entirely defined by your disability. Let them know something else important about you, to see you as a valuable and interesting person with much to offer.</p>
<p>You might also want to look specifically at schools that have strong support programs for learning and mentally disabled students. They are the ones that are most likely to understand your disability, be willing to overlook weaknesses in your transcript, and give you continued support to help you succeed. If you would like some suggestions of schools like this, PM me and I'll point you in the right direction.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your help and your suggestions. The only problem with showing improvement in grades and completion of projects is that I am not in high school anymore, and I am unable to make an improvement in my high school GPA. I am going to have to make an appointment with my high school counselor for next week to discuss my options. I want to apply for the winter 2006 semester at Nova Southeastern University for General studies. I hope everthing works out.</p>
<p>I understand that you're no longer in high school, but try to find a project or other way to demonstrate that you are now able to focus and cope with stress. Even succeeding on a job might demonstrate this. If it is not too late, you might think about enrolling in a few community college classes this semester - that might convince Nova that you are serious about buckling down. While you might not have final grades in time, you might be able to get one of the teachers to write a recommendation. In any case, if things don't work out for Nova in the Spring, do enroll at a community college and prove what you are capable of --- You sound like you have a good deal of potential. Good luck!</p>
<p>I was happy when I looked at the application to Nova Southeastern University and discovered this question: If you would like to explain shortcomings in your academic history, you are encouraged to submit an essay on a separate sheet of paper. I wrote an essay but it seems a bit long and its only a first draft, so its not the best. I would forever be grateful if anyone would read it and tell me what I should fix.</p>