<p>After high school, I attended one year of college and then kicked around part-time in local community colleges for a few years. Throughout all of this, I performed very poorly; the usual explanation expressed by my parents and teachers was that I was a daydreamer who refused to apply himself. In reality, I was unable to sit down with a book and read for more than a few minutes before becoming confused and frustrated, and was unable to work with numbers beyond basic sums. Memorization seemed impossible and I rarely could bring myself to complete homework. In class, I had to constantly resist the urge to get up and run out of the classroom. All of this was despite testing significantly above "gifted" on the IQ tests I took in 5th and 6th grades. </p>
<p>It wasn't until last year that I was diagnosed with ADD and placed on the appropriate medication. Of course, ADD was largely unknown in the '60s and '70s when I was in school and even if I had been diagnosed, the appropriate medications did not yet exist. But since taking that medication, I can now -- for the first time in my life -- happily sit and read uninterrupted for hours on end. I can readily understand fairly complex mathematical principles, can easily memorize texts, and so on. I'm certain that, were I to take the SAT, I would perform well. </p>
<p>My plan is to attend a local community college and, after 2 years, apply to transfer to UC Berkeley to earn a BA. I'm sure I can be accepted by the community college and that I can earn a 4.0 during the 2 years I'll have to spend there. This community college is a major feeder to Cal. I also already have some very solid ECs and will have more by the time I hope to transfer. I realize that colleges and universities want to see a history of academic excellence, but I'm going to be followed around by those damning transcripts. It seems unfair that the poor academic performance that resulted from this condition should still hamper my chances, now I'm no longer handicapped by it. </p>
<p>That brings me to my question: how can I go about conveying to those at Cal who make admissions decisions that, despite my thoroughly unimpressive record until my 50s, I can now excel? -that my poor performance was largely the result of a physiological condition rather than laziness or inferior intellect, and that the condition has now been corrected? If I were to claim that I had never been to college before, would the schools I want to attend be able to tell that, in fact, I had? Do they share information or have access to transcripts that students <em>don't</em> provide? </p>
<p>Any suggestions as to what I might be able to do to counteract my unflattering record would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Your plan to do 2 years at the CC with the 4.0 answers your first question “how can I go about…”</p>
<p>Best not to start down the road of dishonesty. You sign something that says everything is true, and you are required to provide all transcripts. Yes, there is a clearinghouse for this information. If you are found you will not be admitted, if you slip by you risk being kicked out or diploma cancelled.</p>
<p>Since you already have some college and CC, you won’t be able to have a clean slate 4.0 in your planned 2 years since it will be cumulative. Like Brownparent said, any attempt to “counteract” your initial poor performance are fraught with hazards and likely doomed to failure. </p>
<p>However, getting two years of 4.0 is a great sign.</p>
<p>If I may: Why UCB? There are other colleges with alternative older adult degree programs that will be very fulfilling. Do you just want the UCB diploma? Or is this a stepping stone for you current career path? I get that a UCB bachelors is an achievement – but for what purpose for you, at this point? I’m not trying to put you on the spot per se. But at the end of ~4 years of work, would looking back and seeing accomplishments in another field be just as fulfilling? Do you need a bachelors for your next career? Or is this more of a statement thing for you and your loved ones? I saw in an older thread from 2013, you were considering a Grad degree at Yale after you attain your BA. Again, why that choice of school when there are so many? Unless you have a clear and convincing answer that you can convey – your chances become less than slim, I’m afraid.</p>
<p>Thank you, BrownParent, for the info and advice. My rationale for the “sin of omission” was that if I had instead had some physical disability that resulted in poor academic performance (say, being blind) of which I was later cured, I’d think that the admissions folks would take that into consideration. I’m not sure they would do the same with a curable <em>mental</em> condition that was to blame for poor performance. I’d like to know if there are others who have had similar challenges and how they may have overcome them. I’ll search around for a thread (or forum) for ADD sufferers and see if there’s any advice to be had.</p>
<p>Thank you, T26E4, for the thoughtful post. </p>
<p>Here’s my rationale regarding Cal: I still intend to apply to Yale for a masters because they have far and away the best program in the country for the subject I want to pursue. In order to get into Yale, I’ll need the strongest possible boost from my undergrad degree. </p>
<p>I just completed a <em>very</em> demanding training program here in California which guarantees to cover all of the expenses for me to get a BA from most colleges/universities within the state (other than living expenses). I live in San Francisco and I’m unwilling to relocate to get that BA, so that limits my choices to those schools within a reasonable commute radius. Cal is by far the best school (other than Stanford) in the Bay Area that the state will cover for me, and they have a very highly-regarded program for the BA I want to pursue. That program is not impacted, so getting into it is less competitive than some programs. Also, Cal takes many transfer students from local CCs so, combined with the boost I’ll get from that state government program I completed, I’ll have a good shot at getting in. </p>
<p>As for my motivation: I’m not on a career track, per se. I’m in the process of starting a small public policy research institute, so I’ll effectively be self-employed. Of course, it won’t hurt my credibility in that world to have degrees from Cal and Yale, but my primary motivations are learning and challenging myself. Also, I’ve always wanted to have the traditional immersive university experience (as much as I can at my age!) at a good school, and attaining these degrees are high on my “bucket list”. Those may seem like less compelling motivators to someone in their late-teens or twenties, but at my age, they loom large. </p>
<p>I’m self-driven and (finally) capable of excelling, despite my earlier handicap and poor performance. The challenges for me will be to prepare as solid of groundwork as possible, and to be able to articulate to Cal (and Yale) why they should place a higher importance upon my recent accomplishments than those of my teens and twenties. I hope that answers your questions. Thanks again!</p>
<p>But you have an explanation. I’m sure it will be considered, this situation happens to HS kids and sometimes there is a drastic change mid-HS career and consideration is given. And hopefully demonstration of new proficiency. Also after so many years passed I’m not sure you need any explanation. How has the grades been going the last year? </p>
<p>But it is a bad setup to rely on getting accepted to a single college. I know there is a transition path for CC though. </p>