just got diagnosed with ADD

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

hey guys!

I got diagnosed with ADD today and I’m wondering how this would affect my applications for the colleges I’ve applied to. I have a 3.24 UW GPA and a 4.24 W GPA with a rigorous course load since freshman year. I do go to a competitive public high school that’s ranked as one of the top 100 schools in the nation. I got a 34 on the ACT last year and I have a solid amount of extracurriculars. I applied to UIUC, UMN at Twin Cities, Penn State, Ohio State, UW Madison, Tulane, Fordham, and Northeastern.
My psychiatrist thinks that I’ve had ADD since middle school but I never really thought I had anything. I didn’t do so well in high school but I still coasted through with B’s and I always just thought that it was because I simply wasn’t that bright and that I couldn’t balance my courseload. At this point, I think I only have a decent shot at UMN and UIUC. All the other schools seem like reaches. My GPA is much lower than the GPAs of other students who have applied to these schools. I’m super upset about this entire thing because I’ve always assumed that I was extremely “lazy” due to how my parents saw me- and I just wish I was diagnosed much earlier so I could’ve had more opportunities open to me. :frowning: I’m glad that I finally did get diagnosed though! I just hope I’ll be able to live up to my potential from now on!

2

Also, UIC is my backup school if all else fails

3

How would it affect applications you have already sent?

4

Hi, thanks for replying! I sent in all my applications from January 1st to January 15th, so I doubt my applications have been evaluated yet. I was just going to email all the admission counselors about this

5

I doubt it will make a positive difference in your admissions to send this info.

You should be thinking about what you want to do about this diagnosis going forward, though. If you are thinking about trying medication, you want to start that this semester and get it fine tuned before starting school in the fall. You likely will want to register with the disability office on your campus in the fall and meet with them regarding possible accommodations (e.g., extra test time, quiet testing area, etc). You will need documentation from your doctor. If you take medication, you also will need to figure out how to get your prescriptions filled on campus and how to secure your medication against theft.

6

Once you are out of high school no one will care about your ADD. It’s all about your performance. Nothing else. Attend EVERY class, EVERY session. Sit in the front row. Record the lecture with permission if that will helps you. Take your prescribed meds if you need them and play the hand you’ve been dealt.