illness and College; vassar version

Colleges & Universities A-Z Vassar College
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<p>This is basically a copy of a thread I made in the college admissions forum, but I'm pretty much infatuated with Vassar (I intend to apply EDII), and I was hoping that there might be some people in this forum familiar enough with how their admissions process works to give me some specific feedback:</p>

<p>In late 1999, during my sophmore year of highschool, I came down with mono, which never went away, and I was later diagnosed with both Chronic Fatigue and Lyme Disease. Anyway, I'm finally healthy, but my transcript isn't especially impressive. I have an A/A- average in the most challenging classes I could take for 1.5 years, and then it drops off. I was able to get a few extra credits over the next few years, but that's it.</p>

<p>I'm now looking to go to college, so I got a GED (800 out of 800 on every section except science, in which I got a 690 somehow), took the SAT (1590, 800 in math), and took three SAT IIs (800 Math IIc, 800 writing, 770 Physics). I'm currently taking Calculus and English Composition at the local community college, 2 courses being the maximum for those whose GEDs were not processed yet, and hope to take a fuller course load in the spring.</p>

<p>So, how will Vassar look at this?</p>

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<p>Well, in light of the fact that it wasn't your fault, they will look to see that your not feeling sorry for yourself and rather, have gotten up and pushed forward....which you seem to be doing, and quite well at that judging from your scores.</p>

<p>If I were you, I'd write another essay type thing in the part of the common application where you can put anything extra. Explain the circumstances, what your doing, and how you are an equal to all the other applicants despite the problems you had.</p>

<p>Hope that helps</p>

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<p>i agree with silverstonett :-D</p>

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<p>Well, I intend to have my common app essay deal with my illness and all of its implications. My recommendations will also likely make mention of it. I don't have anything particular in mind for Vassar's personal section yet, though. I think maybe it would be best to do something unrelated to the lyme, considering all the attention it's already getting.</p>