<p>Okay, here is my situation simply put: I'm considered "special ed". I don't know if I should put this on my application. You see, even though I am, I am still number 8 (out of 350) in my class, I have the highest SAT at my school (1910-700M, 600V, and 610W), and many teachers say they are surprized that I have an IEP. Do you guys think that I have a "hook" of any type?</p>
<p>No, that is not a hook.</p>
<p>Why?! You gave no explanation.</p>
<p>It isnt something that will make you really stand out.</p>
<p>Runningncircles1,</p>
<p>No, it's not a hook but it is part of who you are. If you can somehow incorporate that experience in an essay and give the adcoms some sense of what that means, it may make interesting reading. That would especially be the case if you can show (not tell) what you face as you sit there and try and learn.</p>
<p>At my school, special ed is basically code for the really stupid kids, not forgetting some who actually have mental deficiency. In fact we have special classes for the dumb kids that we called "flex school", and now it is called "alternative school". /randomness. So if you have the best scores and a great rank, in what way are you "special ed". Please elaborate for us.</p>
<p>Well, I was classified as behavior disorder (ADHD and I threw a chair at a teacher) in elementary school, and they thought I was LD because I didn't do my homework, it seemed like I didn't get information, etc. This was in elementary school, though. They never took the IEP off my file, but I was put in mainstream courses and I always took honors/AP. So, that's why I'm considered "special ed". Around the time I was slapped with an IEP, my parents were going through a divorce, we were poor, lots of crap happening... you know, all that stuff that makes school just seem less in comparison to everything else in your life. So, as I was saying, that whole stage made me appear like I was an IEP kid.</p>
<p>I was thinking maybe I could incorporate that into a "life-long learning experience" essay or have my teachers/GCs put something like "I am amazed that Patrick, a student considered special ed, could do phenominal, innovative work". I don't want to just list it without reason or base my entire application around it, just somehow incorporate it.</p>
<p>Savy schools are going to look at your stats & know that you should no longer be classified as Spec. Ed. Your school district should be reevaluating you every 3 years under federal law...they must be able to document that your "disability" is "SIGNIFICANTLY" limiting your ability to learn...with your stats that is not possible...colleges will recognize this...and may be leary that the classification is "parent driven" to give you an advantage...I'd make no mention of it & make sure it's not on your transcript.</p>
<p>Yes, I have been evaluated csdad. I forgot to mention that I was taken off of sped services on the last day of school last year because they finally realized I didn't need to be watched anymore; that's the reason I was on there from 4-11.
Now it wasn't an attempt by my mom to get into college, because my mom doesn't really care what school I go to or if I go at all.</p>
<p>Well, I guess I won't mention it on then. Thanks for the advice guys.</p>
<p>No, I think you should. It's not a hook or anything, but in the space where you get to put something that they should know about or what has "hindered your high school experience"...they word it differently in every application...you should include it! : )</p>
<p>Make sure you go a little bit more in-depth when explaining this on your apps. At my school, those in the Gifted program as well as those with mental disabilities have IEPs.</p>
<p>If I were you, I wouldn't mention throwing a chair at a teacher on a college application...that's just me though.</p>
<p>I would it be considered a hook, if you say you don't have it.</p>
<p>No, no, no Brian, I'm not doing that, LOL.</p>
<p>lol that might send the wrong message, is what I was thinking.</p>
<p>
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At my school, special ed is basically code for the really stupid kids, not forgetting some who actually have mental deficiency
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</p>
<p>It's sad to hear you say that. Very intelligent people can have learning disabilities. The founder of Kinko's for one. </p>
<p>I think if you had your GC write that you have LD but through hard work and a desire to learn, still succeeded in your school, it would be a plus for admissions. It's not a hook though, because there are many students with LD and I don't think you'd stand out from them.</p>
<p>lolz...u threw a chair at a teacher? Personally I don't think that's a hook, or even worth looking into. But u certainly can talk about ur personal hardships such as parental divorce, financial problems, and school insensitivities. I think these hardships are far more worth writing about</p>
<p>runningcircles, you seem like a bitter white person who resents anyone with an edge you dont have...get over it man, you're not getting into harvard with a 1900 sat</p>
<p>Based on what you say, not only is it not a hook, but not really worth mentioning in any way: you say that it was placed on your record way way way back in elementary school, and simply never removed as the result of administration being oblivious. If your posts accurately capture the situation, then your SpEd behaviors haven't even been an issue for the past decade.</p>
<p>I would avoid devoting valuable application space to something so flimsy, though perhaps you could think of a way to analyze your situation to make it relevant. If you already have other angles you could take on your application, though, don't feel obligated to go out of your way to develop this one.</p>
<p>Oh my God, this post is old, LOL. </p>
<p>And, what makes me a "bitter white person with an edge * don't have?" I'm not bitter, and I don't remember writing anything that would make me seem so.</p>