<p>Hi guys, its my first time posting here. I have the same question as everyone else on this thread only I to know my chances in spite of an illness that hindered my freshman year.</p>
<p>Sophomore year I had 1 B with all honors classes. Junior year I got a 4.0 unweighted, again all honors and AP. Senior year didn't happen yet but I will be taking all AP classes. My sat score is CR=730 M=710 W=750 and my ACT score is a 33.</p>
<p>I was elected into student council my freshman year and served for 1 year (I will come back to this and explain why I wasn't reelected), I have been in Latin Club all three years (and will be in the club senior year), I played tennis for the school junior year, and I did community service work in South Africa for 3 weeks a couple months ago. </p>
<p>The list of community service work and activities at school would undoubtedly be longer and my test scores higher if it weren't for a certain illness that I have (I dont feel comfortable telling you guys exactly what the illness is). I can tell you however that my freshman year wasn't great because of it. I missed 33 days of school, and was taken out of school for a month because of my illness. I finished the year with Some A's, B's and a C. When Sophomore year started, my illness wasn't completely controlled and I did very poorly the first quarter. I managed to pull everything to an A except english. My illness prevents me from doing a lot of after school activities (like Student council) because I am absent so much and I need extra time during tests (because of the illness) so it is hard for me to show up to the few that I do let alone join more. I either get turned down or kicked out because I am absent so much, which is the case for student council</p>
<p>Despite what I have gone through, I finished junior year with a 4.0 and I feel like my health is in a place where I can get another 4.0 for senior year. My dream has always been going to penn, but Im not sure if they will understand my illness. I know that where I am now in my health, I can become the student that I always wanted to be. My first year though got in the way of a perfect highschool career. I want to know if Penn or any other top school will understand the trials I went through and see my potential.
Thanks guys</p>
<p>First of all, colleges don’t really care about 9th grade.
And of course colleges will understand and most likely be sympathetic towards your condition. Admissions officers aren’t cruel cold hearted people! (despite what many seem to think). There’s a big difference between student A who’s performance is subpar due to an illness and student B who’s too damn lazy to study. If anything your illness and the steps you took to overcome it, will serve you well in admissions. At the least, it will make your application more memorable, which is always a good thing. Don’t stress out.</p>
<p>Some colleges do care about 9th grade. And, top colleges have so many qualified applicants that they can choose the best suited.</p>
<p>BUT, in this case, it’s likely they will understand- and be impressed- if you have faced this squarely and overcome. Ask your GC to explain what he/she can. You might want to calc your gpa without 1st year- and see if the GC will mention this. Depending on your illness, take a look at the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, try not to give the colleges an idea you will be absent from too much of the class and non-class aspects of school. That’s a fine line you’ll need to figure out.</p>
<p>@lookingforward. I looked into ADA but im not sure how I need to contact them so they are able to help me with admissions. Do I need to qualify to be a member of ADA through my doctor? I feel that the ADA would def. help
Thanks</p>
<p>does anyone have any experience with the americans with disabilities act. Do colleges need to see that to believe you? It would be great to attach some diagnosis form from my doctor so the college doesn’t think that im embellishing anything and deny me acceptance</p>
<p>Did you look at this? [Students</a> with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education](<a href=“http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/transition.html]Students”>Students with Disabilities Preparing for Postsecondary Education) The ADA defines your rights and etc. Its not a support group (though there may be groups that provide info and advice.) You still have to win admittance to the college, based on their standards and needs, just like any candidate; they simply can’t discriminate solely on the basis of a disability. As far as I understand it. That link explains how you proceed with the support you may need, once you are a student there.</p>
<p>Boy- Should have enrolled with the office of students with disabilities beginning In Freshman year…that would have allowed you to work with them and your treating physician to come upnwith a realistic course schedule whilenyour disease was not yet in remission. Ie, reducing the course load whi,e you were recovering. College admissions will think it odd ghat you did not take a partial leave of abscense if you had such a serious ilnness that kept you out of school for 30 days. If you do not nave a good track record of coordinating your care with your physician and your HS liaison then the situation becomes murky.</p>
<p>Lottie, im a bit confused by your negative assumptions. I have a 504 with other special accommodations. I did take a partial leave of absence for 3 and 1/2 weeks. My teachers would come to my house and teach me there. This is what im afraid of with college admissions. I have a feeling they too will be doubting people who say things like, "I find it odd that you were out for 30 days yet didn’t take a leave of absence</p>