<p>I'm just trying to brain storm a few ideas on what I will write about in my common app essay. So far it seems the only school I will be applying via common app is university of Michigan. I have a unique in that I have a higher ACT score (30) than my grades would indicate (3.6). I attended a rigorous catholic high school and took basically the most challenging schedule the school offered every year. I have ADHD and trying to conquer my hard classes with this extra "obstacle" proved to be quite the task. My grades sometimes suffered but overall I had an upward trend in my grades. Having ADHD has been a huge part of my life and I've tried to become an advocate for myself. I feel like this would be a good topic because I could kind of use it to explain that not all of my grades are the best representation of myself as a student. Is there anyway I could write about this? I know not everyone completely accepts the idea of ADD and I don't want to use it as a crutch for my grades. I just think it's something unique about me. So I'd love to hear feedback!!!</p>
<p>If you feel that ADD is unique to you and “explains” (using examples!!) how you approach life and work with others, then use it. NEVER use ADD in the context of “explaining” grades or academics. The only legitimate sources for those kinds of explanations are your letters of recommendation. Explaining grades is just about the worst use possible of an essay, which provides the opportunity to illuminate yourself and your life of which “grades” are precious little. Don’t even think about talking about grades in your essay – just don’t!! Talk about life!</p>