<p>I have a HUGE question. Okay, so in the beginning of sophomore year I was diagnosed with epilepsy. My grades suffered first semester due to being on a vallium based drug (makes you really tired) to bridge me to my epilepsy medication so I wouldn't have more seizures. I got on my new medication by the end of first semester. Second semester I got my grades up and I ended sophomore year with all A's except for an 88 in AP World History and an 80 in math. </p>
<p>Junior Year. I chose for my class load to take 6 AP's, because I like to challenge myself. Perhaps because of the stress, not getting enough rest, and my epilepsy (which I have not had a seizure since the beginning of sophomore year and that was my only one thanks to my meds) I have been having chronic headaches every day (and I mean EVERY day) and sometimes migraines and often nausea, and I have missed a lot of school and my grades have suffered immensely. Recently, in the last few weeks, we found a medication that was fairly effective for the headaches/migraines. So for the remainder of the semester I can be back on track and get my grades up as much as I can...but I may only have 1 low A (2 at the most) and the rest will be B's to B minuses with a possible C in AP Chemistry.</p>
<p>So. My question is, how do I explain this to Dartmouth? What do I even say? Where do I say it in my application? Do I put it in the additional information section of the Common App? PLEASE HELP ME. I'm truly not a slacker, I've just had personal circumstances that have affected my performance in school.</p>
<p>BTW - I'm Class of 2018, so I'm applying in the fall. Next year I am taking 5 AP's. Still, because I like to challenge myself...and I have that new medication to help me.</p>