Medical Issues

Applying to College
1

<p>Ok, context:</p>

<p>So in 9th and 10th grade (and 7th and 8th) I had a chronic and very invasive infection in my left ear. I was often in pain, I couldn't hear very well, and I was all-around debilitated. My grades were doubtlessly affected. I was a B student.</p>

<p>It took three surgeries to finally fix me up, the last of which was done during the Summer before my Junior year. They basically rebuilt my hearing organs out of titanium. My hearing drastically improved. It was still a little bit below average but it was not debilitating anymore.</p>

<p>In Junior year I became a straight A student. I was on high honor roll for the entire year, was the top student in most of my classes, did great on my AP tests and SATs, etc. I am now doing equally well in Senior year.</p>

<p>But my GPA is permanently damaged. It's 3.59 UW, 3.91 W. I'm shooting for Ivies, so that's not good enough.</p>

<p>How can I let colleges know about this medical history? Should I get a letter from my doctor and have it sent? How would I send it?</p>

<p>Would this significantly help my chances of getting accepted to the nation's top schools?</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>buuuuuuump</p>

3

<p>Two options –

  1. your essay can be how you faced a challenge, overcame it and now are ready to reach your potential…</p>

<p>2) under extra information on the common ap- use that place to discuss it AND also ask your GC to make sure this is noted in his/her recommendation</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the response.</p>

<p>Yeah I definitely don’t want to write my essay about it, I tend to think that it would be better to impress them with skillful writing than to make excuses for myself (I feel like that’s how it would look).</p>

<p>But I’ll definitely put it in the extra info section. You don’t think a letter from my doctor would be of benefit?</p>

5

<p>^good advice. Do make sure your GC notes it!!</p>