<p>Let me first list my statistics:
OOS White Male
UW GPA: 3.7
W GPA: 4.1
SAT I - 800 CR, 800 W, 650 M
SAT II(s) - 750 WH, 800 American History
So far everything looks good, right? Well here's where the problem comes in: I lack in AP classes. This is due to me being home schooled for grades 11 and 12, and being on a curriculum that does not offer AP courses. I took one AP course in tenth grade, world history, and got a 4 on the test. I also took a political science course at a local college (which I suppose would count as an AP) and got an A. The problem with taking these college courses is that they are expensive. The reason I was home schooled was because of moderate social anxiety disorder and moderate to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. I was having trouble functioning in school due to these issues. The social anxiety disorder also led to a lack of extracurricular activities. I am going to try and take home school AP classes in 12 grade (I'm just finishing 11 now, because I started in January). They are expensive as well, so we'll see. It's either take some AP courses at home or try and take one or two more college classes. Should I tell the admissions office about my anxiety disorders?
So, with all that:
AP classes: WH (4)
Dual enrollment classes: Introduction to Political Science I (A)
Excellent recommendation from the PoliSci teacher, need to get one or two more recs from my high school teachers
Extracurricular activities (a little sparse here):
SCAMEA All-County Choir (selected three consecutive years, did it twice)
School Choir (2 Years)
School Newspaper (1 Year)
Speech and Debate (Half a year)
Piano Lessons (1 Year)
Voice Lessons (4 Years)
Volunteering at church (4 years)
Church study group (2 years)
I really tried to do these things, but my social anxiety held me back. So again, should I describe my struggle with anxiety problems? Thank you for reading this!</p>
<p>You’re asking an important question about whether you should mention your anxiety disorder in college applications. On the one hand, it does explain the lack of APs, as well as (a bit) less depth in your ECs than other candidates may have. On the other hand, adcoms may be cautious about students with anxiety disorders, including what you describe as serious OCD. How is your recovery going? Do you feel it’s likely that you’ll be able to settle into student life at an OOS school (any college, not just W & M)? I ask because, if you read the Parents Forum, you’ll see that it’s not unusual for students with similar conditions to have a difficult time as freshmen. </p>
<p>I think you’d get some helpful feedback if you posted the question in the Parents Forum, without specifically mentioning W & M. What other schools are on your list? Do you plan to apply to any schools close to home, in case you feel you need a bit more security when next fall arrives? You have excellent stats and write clearly, which is certainly to your advantage. Good luck - hope you’ll post again.</p>
<p>I just clicked on your previous posts, and see that your condition was really quite serious at one time. Have you and your parents talked about the best place for you to go to school? NY is a solid 8.5 hour drive from W & M, and airline connections aren’t great. Will you want or need to be closer to home in case your disorder flares again? Of course, I’d love to read that you’re well along in recovery! But there have been many threads lately about bright students like you having trouble adjusting, even at their dream schools. If you’re receiving professional help, I hope you’ve discussed what kind of situation will be best for you next year.</p>
<p>The bonus with William and Mary is that I have family that lives in Williamsburg. I am very close with them and could visit as often as I liked. I mean, I could probably walk there from campus. I am no longer on medication. I have gotten much better as a result of my own effort. Things are still difficult, but I feel my struggles have made me much stronger. Also, they give me a creative edge.</p>
<p>Fraz is right on. You also need to carefuly check what academic and social life is like at W&M- or any school you consider. Look for “student feedback” web sites. It may not be what you see on a visit- and your VA family perspective may not be the same as what current/recent students can tell.
Colleges will understand you did not have a usual AP opportunity (typical for home-school kids) and see your local coll and home AP work in a positive light. It’s an admirable effort.<br>
You need to learn whether reccs from a high school teachers will do it- by the time you apply, won’t it be 2 years since you were their student?<br>
Can we assume the anxiety and OCD are somewhat under control now? If so, you could (I am not sure) need a medical statement to that effect. Also, is it possible to pick up a non-church volunteer activity in the meantime? Something that follows your interests/strengths but is in a situation where you feel reasonably comfortable? Maybe a one-on-one or small group. This would go a long way toward showing a college how you have worked to overcome your challenges.<br>
I agree, post this to parents for better info. Consider a brief post to the W&M board, just askig about aademic challenges and social life; maybe you can learn more. Best of luck.</p>
<p>I could stay local for two years and then transfer. Performing well in those would make up for any shortcomings I have. It would also give me time to adjust.</p>
<p>^^^ The adjustment time is what’s most important. I don’t think your curriculum will be seen as a shortcoming, since you were homeschooled for medical reasons. And of course, a mental condition is a medical reason - you need to to decide how much you want to share about it in your applications. We just want you to take care of yourself and continue your recovery.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to post this question on the Parents Forum, you could do a board search for “mental illness + applications” or something similar. How much to disclose about a serious mental illness, even when it explains other aspects of your application, is a complex question. Many parents have had experience with it. Again, good luck!</p>
<p>I notice the frequent advice (probably from young people) to this sort of question is to hide the condition.<br>
If you were my child, I would worry that some day you could need extra understanding, tolerance, perhaps a friend/college staff who knew how to help or when to call your VA family, etc- and no one would have the knowledge of your situation. I would call a college, perhaps first speak to their health staff (every school has some sort of center or nurse) and ask (anonymously) how your situation would be viewed and supported. The first call doesn’t need to be to W&M. If your parents cannot make the call, perhaps a church friend can.
I do not know how the Americans with Disabilities Act covers your situation. I do not believe a school would flat-out deny you, expecially considering your success at the local college. I do believe they would want sufficient assurance from your doctor(s) that you are managing this and ready for college academic and social challenges.<br>
You’ve worked hard to surmount your challenges. This is an important decision- whether to take the next step at an away-school or stay near home. Good Luck.</p>
<p>I think staying at home would be a cop out. Anyway, I found out I can take an AP test without actually completing an AP course. I think I could take the AP American and AP European tests. I was in those classes in school, but didn’t finish. If I studied enough, I think I could probably get a 4 or 5.
That would bring me up to three AP classes, all history.
I also want to take three AP home school classes this year. Of course, I want be able to finish the tests before it’s time to apply. Will they take notice of the APs, though?
Man, I just wish I knew about this when I first started home school…
If they knew my story, they might be a little more lenient…</p>
<p>[LD</a> OnLine :: College Students and Disability Law](<a href=“http://www.ldonline.org/article/6082]LD”>http://www.ldonline.org/article/6082)
Lengthy but discusses “disabilities” and college admission.
I think your drive is commendable. There will be some way to indicate you are home-schooling APs or self-studying. See where the App would allow this- or if it can be included on your home transcript in some way. I believe that when you register for the AP tests, you can indicate whether they should be automatically forwarded to colleges. Check that, too, in case one falls short and you wish to withhold it.</p>
<p>This a great post with some fantastic replies.</p>
<p>It is truly up to you, the student, as to how much information you decide to share with the committee. Keep in mind the application does compel you to explain why you changed schools so you will have to provide some explanation as to why you transitioned from high school to homeschool. You can say something brief such as “medical reasons” or provide a lengthier explanation.</p>
<p>The lack of AP courses and extracurriculars is okay as W&M considers your course selection within your environment and we understand that AP classes and numerous extracurriculars are not always readily available to homeschool students although we do expect them to be involved outside of the home if possible and to engage in challenging classes either via virtual AP courses, dual enrollment courses, or home-taught advanced courses.</p>
<p>You may want to check out our [homeschool</a> applicant page](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/admission/undergraduateadmission/applicationprocess/freshmanapplicants/homeschooledapplicants/index.php]homeschool”>http://www.wm.edu/admission/undergraduateadmission/applicationprocess/freshmanapplicants/homeschooledapplicants/index.php) for more info on applyinig as a home school student.</p>
<p>Hope this is helpful.</p>
<p>W&M, I am impressed that you cared to give Maurik an answer to such an important question. Thank you.</p>
<p>lookingforward, we try to meet prospective students where they are and provide them answers in what forum they choose to ask their questions.</p>
<p>I’m on this site almost every week day (sometimes travel gets in the way which is why I was responding to numerous posts yesterday) so that students and parents can have their questions answered quickly and thoughtfully.</p>
<p>Thanks for the kudos!</p>