Junior with Atypical Situation (Long)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Warning: this is a long and involved post</p>

<p>As a Junior I have started working on my college list but I am looking for some input about whats considered Reach/Match/Safety for my situation. For the last few years I have suffered from cyclic vomiting syndrome, a neurological condition that has been nearly intractable. This has affected my education in a number of ways. I attended a public magnet middle school for intellectually gifted students. I am interested in the CC community's take on how my application will be judged given my situation and what ranges of schools I should consider applying to.</p>

<p>My attendance has been the major academic obstacle, as I've had to teach myself the vast majority of my classes. My attendance has been well below 20% (1 day a week out of 5) for the last 3 years. Keep that in mind, as I hope adcoms will, when considering my stats.</p>

<p>All of my classes have been honors except for phys ed, health, and the first two years of foreign language. I have had all As except for a B in Honors Physics (sophomore year) and a C in Honors Pre-Calculus (sophomore year). While these grades hurt my GPA, I attended these classes fewer than 15 times over the course of the year. As a person looking at history/political science/rhetoric/philosophy, will these grades really hurt my app?</p>

<p>I'd be happy to list my entire course history/grades if people are interested in them.</p>

<p>Overall GPA - Something like 3.8
Weighted GPA - well over 4
Unranked due to attendance, easily top 5% of class of 500
PSAT - 74 CR, 76 M, 65 WR (I missed more than half of the allotted time for the writing section due to a nasty bout of vomiting)
SAT - 700 M, 700 CR, 720 WR (12/67) (Retaking for personal gratification)
APs - World History 5 (as a freshman), I'm taking US, Lang/Comp, Stats this year</p>

<p>I'm looking at taking AP Calc, AP Economics, AP Government and Politics, AP English, AP European History, and an honors level science next year.</p>

<p>As for extracurricular activities, I haven't been able to get nearly as involved as I had hoped prior to being in high school. I've done ultimate frisbee and am now the President of the club, I'm involved in youth and government (a statewide mock legislature program), but that's about it, aside from dinky little "Environmental" and "political" clubs. My school system bars people who miss more than 10 days a semester from participating in extracurriculars so anything I do is on the sly. ECs are by far the weakest aspect of my app and I'd like opinions on how it may affect my college search (especially for EC focused schools like Claremont McKenna). I have been very active in planning and doing individual backpacking trips with friends and family.</p>

<p>What I'm most interested in is how I should build my college list and what schools I should classify as safety, match, and reach. I am more interested in small schools, I do not want to attend any of the Ivys or Stanford or MIT as so many CCers do...no offense to those who do, just not a fit for my personality.</p>

<p>I am a North Carolina resident. Conspicuously absent are schools in the Northeast. I am open to schools north of Mason-Dixon but I disdain drinking, The North Face, frat dominated social scenes, and inane displays of wealth.</p>

<p>Right now my list is...
Reach - Carleton College, Davidson College (brother attends), CMC
Match - Whitman College, Wake Forest University, Grinnell College, UNC-CH
Safety - Western Carolina University (Hnrs. College), UNC-A, St. Olaf's</p>

<p>I am more sure that my safeties are true safeties than that my matches and reaches are reasonable. Any advice is welcome.</p>

<p>Any and all replies are appreciated, I apologize for the hugely long post. Feel free to respond to any part of my post. Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>I'm certainly no expert on these things and I am not familiar with a couple of your selections, but you appear on target to me. My concern might be that with your medical problem, you might be happier at a smaller school like Davidson or Wake rather than say Chapel Hill--it's a little easier to create and maintain relationships with your professors in that environment. That way if the need arises and you must make up work or labs, it could be less hassle to get things worked out. Western is very isolated--don't know what you really like, but the complaints I hear from students from Western are that there is nothing there but the college and students find most of their recreation with alcohol (not that drinking doesn't occur everywhere, but there are less recreational opportunities there). Make some visits and see what appeals to you. Good luck with your search.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your reply. To clarify, my interest in Western revolves around its location. I love backpacking and pass through Bryson City and Cullowhee when I go to the mountains. Your description seems about right, I would simply spend the weekends in the backcountry rather than getting wasted. Thanks again.</p>

4

<p>I just gave a lot of thought to your situation. What courage you have shown. That you could get such good marks and scores (nobody ever asks about or counts PSAT's on apps, by the way) with only 20% class attendance is nearly like a homeschooled, self-schooled person. I know you don't want to go to Harvard, but they have one adcom solely devoted to evaluating homeschool applications.
I'm more concerned that you find out at this juncture if there's any better way to address your health. Have you considered taking a gap year (with doctor's advice) to seek out best management of this difficult challenge. Right now, your mind is focussed on getting into college, but I'm concerned how you'll accomplish the college once you are accepted. If you can't go to 80% of the classes, that's a real problem.<br>
So I tried to imagine...if you have to decide (as a high school student, perhaps with a bus coming) it's either "all or nothing" for the day's attendance b/c you're unwell when the bus comes. In that case, if you lived in the dorm and could simply exit classes to the bathroom or come home to rest, yes, that would be better than the high school day.
Your medical doctor might now be consulted to start the process to get you considered for a disability so that you could have time-and-a-half for exams in college (in case of situations like that PSAT),or any other accommodation for a severe medical condition. Each college has a disability coordinator in some form to inquire (follow their website, chat on the phone). So one search criterion might be how ready they sound now to accommodate you once you get there. Anybody else know more about this sensitive process?
Have you considered a gap year, just to get a better handle on your health before embarking on college? For example, if the doctor knows of possible treatments or therapies, even in other cities, or medicines to try, but you never have time to do those things...maybe this would be the time.
In general, I agree that the more family-feel Liberal Arts Colleges sound like a better fit than a big university, where situations are addressed on a very personal basis.
Can one teacher who understands your situation speak for you and back up that you participate in EC's that you can't enjoy officially?
Somehow I feel as though you'd benefit from a disclosure of your medical situation because if you've accomplished this much despite it, you have courage. You also sound exceptionally nice (writer's voice comes through), so I bet that will help your essays sing. On the other hand, the colleges might consider you too "in absentia" to be able to satisfy their attendance requirements, which is why I was suggesting a better handle on the medical management before you go off to college.
Did you know, by the way, that gap years are taken for many reasons and that Harvard's letter of acceptance now comes with a suggestion (to all) to take a gap year before arriving there? Interesting.</p>

5

<p>I appreciate your taking the time and energy to share your opinions. In order to answer some of the more specific questions you asked, I feel like I should elaborate more on my situation. My family and I has been working the medical side of this situation for the last 5 years. I could list it all but its been a case of trial and error so far. Endoscopies, an MRI, a CT Scan, and more than two dozen medicines later its still the same. At this point, I'm trying to plan my college situation as though its not going to get any better, with the hope that it will.</p>

<p>That said, my physical sickness is worse in the nights and early mornings, which makes it really tough to get up at 7:30 for school. I'm hoping this is one area where the college environment will be an improvement. As you mentioned, the residential nature of college will make it easier to attend classes. One of the things I'm trying to learn more about in my college search is how LACs and larger universities differ in terms of when classes are. Attending class in the afternoons is much more probable than mornings. Its my feeling that a larger school would offer more afternoon classes, a fact I need to nail down. Unfortunately, larger classes are unappealing. Due to my health, I would rather be in a small class and attending a small class is more likely than a large class. Right now, I think a LAC would be a better fit. Any opinions about scheduling/class size would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>My family and I have been through the school bureaucracy time and time again with disheartening results. Right now, I am classified under Section 504 which classifies my situation as a "hidden disability." We are currently working with a new school system and the PSAT was administered before the necessary meeting to get the accomodation took place (October, entered the school system in July). We are actively pursuing those kinds of options and they have been helpful, as you thought they would be. At this point, my attendance is protected by the 504 plan. To be more succinct, a teacher cannot give me a failing grade because I cannot attend class. I need to do more research and speak with colleges about this, as it is the primary challenge of my education.</p>

<p>Your post is the first time I have had a gap year suggested to me. I'm going to give it quite a bit of thought. Thanks again!</p>

6

<p>Amazing. I want to commend you for sharing yourself and the circumstances around such a difficult decision with us. My hope is that the words already offered will be helpful. </p>

<p>I just wanted to wish you good luck.</p>

7

<p>Under Section 504, you shouldnt be barred from EC's. I think you would also be covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act...where there are probably specifics to what you ARE allowed to do. "Requires public school to make available to all eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs. "</p>

<p>Banning you from EC's or other activities would be against the law...right?</p>

8

<p>As far as your scheduling question. I can really only speak to those colleges with which I've (my children actually) have had personal experience. My D. is at a very small LAC (around 1000 students) and yes, there are limited sections of classes offered, so you might not have as many class time choices. On the other hand both sons were/are at med. sized schools (around 5000 undergrads) Elon and Wake, where there were good selections of courses. My son at Elon had documented LD and one of the accommodations offered him was the chance to register for classes before "open" registration--that way he could schedule times when he knew he could function better.</p>

<p>The other benefit to the more small to medium sized school for you would be the physical convenience of a smaller campus--not a 20 minute walk to class, etc.</p>

<p>You are doing a great job of analyzing your options--and with your hard work, test scores and gpa, you have created many wonderful options for yourself.</p>

9

<p>
[quote]
Banning you from EC's or other activities would be against the law...right?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Maybe not. In our school system, students with GPAs below a certain cutoff are excluded from ECs even if the low GPA is due to a disability. If the OPs school system has an attendance requirement for EC participation, perhaps they can exclude him/her even though his/her poor attendance record is due to a disbility by the same reasoning.</p>

<p>I agree with the assessment that college is likely to be easier for you than high school was. High school is an extraordinarily regimented environment; college is much looser. </p>

<p>Dark secret that I probably shouldn't be telling you: At my son's college, a large state university (not as prestigious as UNC-CH but respectable), vast numbers of people rarely go to lectures but manage to pass anyway. They take advantage of the lecture notes that professors at large universities routinely post online, and they do the readings and turn in the papers; they just don't bother getting up in the morning to go to class. Discussion sections and exams are more of a problem; you may really need to attend those. But if you have documentation of your problem, you can probably get accommodations (such as extra time on exams or the opportunity to make up a quiz that you missed if you were ill at the time when the quiz was given in a discussion section).</p>

<p>I would suggest looking at the living situations for students at each of the colleges on your list. A dormitory double could be hell on earth for both you and your roommate (especially if your situation requires you to get up multiple times during the night). A college where all freshmen live in doubles and where all students live on campus might not be the ideal situation for you. You might prefer to live in a single if there is any chance of that (some colleges will permit students to live in singles for medical reasons even if they are ordinarily required to have roommates), and you might like the option of living off-campus at some point (the disadvantage of the greater distance to classes might be offset by the advantage of having more than one room; even if you shared a bedroom in an apartment, you could spend a few hours in the living room during a difficult night to avoid disturbing your roommate).</p>

10

<p>Marian has another good point. Maybe all colleges have these but I know at son's school they have "regular" singles and what are referred to as "medical" singles which are supposedly reserved for those students with medical issues of some sort.</p>

11

<p>on the gap year, i forgot to mention that the way it's done is: you apply on the same schedule as everyone else in your year, and when you get accepted you ask for deferred admission. So keep on looking, thinking, researching just as you are; apply at the same time in fall of senior year. You won't have to "decide" whether to take the gap til spring of senior year, a long time from now.
Don't mention on your ap that it's your intention to do a gap year, b/c it will weaken their interest in your ap.
Some want to know why, and yours is a valid reason of course, if it's to seek better medical options (not to go fishing for a year or hang out...).
I've never figured out how to know for sure, but I have heard of 3 good ways to find out if the college will consider deferred admission (without making you apply again a year later!): 1. Ask very early on in the process before your name is down with them; 2. look on their website for language about it directly; 3. look on their website under "forms and documents" (not necessarily in admissions, but usually) to see if there's a "Form to Request Deferred Admission" or similar language; 4. Have a friend ask for you!
I know this is just one of many thoughts you're considering, but wanted to add what I knew.
I'm glad to hear others chiming in.</p>

12

<p>I think your reaches could be reachier if you want them to be. You have shown an incredible ability to face challenges and excel. If I was an admission officer I would bet on you as a big success. I think you have a decent shot anywhere.</p>

<p>I strongly suggest you take a look at open curriculum schools (where your do-it-yourself-ness will be viewed very favorably). Brown, Amherst, or Vassar come to mind. Though Brown is an Ivy it has a very intimate LAC feel-- about 5500 undergrads with small grad depts. Wesleyan is another college that very close to an open curriculum school (minimal recommended distribution, not cumpulsory).</p>

<p>You might also like Haverford. It is small but you can take classes at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore or Penn as well. Haverford places a lot of emphasis on personal qualities, honor code, etc. very intimate, small campus, easy access to everything. </p>

<p>None of the schools I mentioned has a heavily fratty culture. (Of course, college = drinking to some extent.) However Wake has this sort of reputation I believe... Williams & Dartmouth are both in incredibly pretty outdoorsy areas with lots of outdoor activities, but both have more of a partying culture and are more isolated from other social options. However, they are probably not appreciably different in culture from Davidson. Cornell also in a wonderful outdoor area.</p>

<p>Schools like Earlham or Beloit might be up your alley too. For you they would be safeties.</p>

13

<p>Oberlin puts big emphasis on individuals and has a history of social conscience.</p>

14

<p>Thank you all for your suggestions and concerns. My school's policy is very clear and even if every absence is medically excused, as is the case, extracurriculars are blocked. I have tried to seek out opportunities for volunteering and non-school clubs and will continue to.</p>

<p>SBmom, you are correct about Wake's reputation. My main interest in Wake is how close it is to my home. I could conceivably live at home and attend but your concerns were echoed in a recent conversation I had with a professor I know well. Its very close to coming off my list entirely. Haverford and Brown were schools I had looked at previously and I'm revisiting them. Oberlin has some things that interest me greatly (Co-ops, Experimental College) and some things that bother me . . . mainly co-ed bathrooms and the apparently rampant pot use.</p>

<p>I have started looking at dorm situations and gap year policies for schools. The CDS covers gap years under their questions about Deferred Enrollment. </p>

<p>I appreciate the advice and its already proved valuable.</p>

15

<p>Just a note on 'rampant pot use'-- </p>

<p>Virtually all schools have quite a bit of booze and pot. It seemed like the key factors for someone who is not a hardcore partier have to do with (1) the level of acceptance for non-partiers: can you find fun, find friends, go out and dance but not drink, etc? and (2) the number of non-party events on a typical day: movies, lectures, concerts, art shows, etc.</p>

<p>My D discovered that at schools typified by a culture of "acceptance" (of gays, minorities, etc) the non drinkers were also readily accepted. Some of these schools have the party reputation, but it is pretty easy to be yourself straight too. Just something to consider...</p>

<p>For an EC you may have to "find a need and fill it"... Tutoring, mentoring etc are always good and do not require a special school-sanctioned club.</p>

<p>As for coed bathrooms they are pretty much ubiquitous. Then again, most families have coed bathrooms!</p>

16

<p>Also most schools have substance-free dorm options.</p>

17

<p>My D is an Oberlin senior now and says: "the coed bathroom is always a vote, floor by floor, and if any one person objects (anonymously in a note to the resident advisor) then it automatically won't become a coed bathroom on that floor.</p>

<p>Nobody will push, pressure or ostracize another person for choosing not to smoke. It's not a big deal to not smoke, to the best of my D's experience (she's a senior). Not a drinking campus. Oberlin does not allow any frats and sororities and there are none underground. Coops are helpful for making friends and save your family some money on room and board in exchange for 4-5 hours/week of work there. If you don't want to live in a coop, there are also many regular dorms and language theme dorms. Lots of variety.
Anyways, not to push one school on ya...just wanted to set the public record straight re: coed dorms and pot! Best wishes </p>

<p>There's also a substance-free dorm. Each dorm and coop has its own culture so you can really choose. "ExCo's" are wonderful, plus Winter Term.</p>

18

<p>you've received some great advice already, and i don't have much to add (i'm a high school senior and not nearly as informed as the parents), but i wanted to say that i found your post really inspiring. you've shown incredible determination and excelled despite your medical situation, and based on what you've written here i'm confident that you'll do wonderfully, both in the admissions process and wherever you end up going to college. best of luck with everything. :)</p>

19

<p>My biggest concern with Oberlin was its place on the Reefer Madness list (#6 of 20) from a certain publication. I'll probably end up sub-free wherever I go. Hearing opinions from Oberlin students or students at other schools is imperative to truly understanding the situation. What your daughter said, 3tuitions, is heartening. I think Oberlin deserves a visit at some point. I'm less concerned about the social pressure to drink or smoke than the availability of "clean" activities. I'm sure college and dorm life will be a tremendous transition and my concerns now may not match the reality of the bigger issues. Thank you all for your responses.</p>

20

<p>Based on the few personal preferences you list, I would never recommend CMC to you. Drinking is quite prevalent and there is (to my knowledge) no sub-free option. You can escape the scene, but it takes a little effort. If this is a major concern, be absolutely sure to tour the school and, if possible, to spend a night (weekend, if possible). My tour of CMC was the reason for my not applying, which might have been silly at the time, but ultimately worked out for the best (it's an excellent school for some, but did not fit my preferences and may not fit yours).</p>

<p>Your situation is, obviously, exceptional. With strong recommendations and essays (and especially with boosted SAT scores, not that yours are weak in the first place), I don't imagine that much will be out of reach for you. Best of luck!</p>