<p>I have a good reason that I missed a tonnnnn of school throughout my highschool years.
something that i'd prefer not to discuss on here, but that is health related.<br>
If my guidance councilor is writing about it in her recommendation for me, would it help or hurt me to attach a letter fully explaining this, even if I'm just saying exactly what she's already said? </p>
<p>Do I need to write about my illness as well to make sure colleges understand why I struggled? </p>
<p>(I was hoping to only focus on positives in my app!)</p>
<p>Only if you can add something new. For example, my counselor talked about the problems my family went through, impacting my education, but she didn't go into incredible detail. I asked to see what she wrote (she said yes and sent it to me) and I compiled a letter elaborating on things she didn't mention.</p>
<p>ah. I am pretty sure she'll explain it well.<br>
in that case, colleges will realize that she's included that info at my request and not fault me for failing to mention it?</p>
<p>I've been wondering about this too.</p>
<p>I struggled with anorexia all throughout high school then had open-heart surgery, and my counselor is writing about it in order to explain lack of extracurriculars (doctor appointments/treatment) and just to be completely honest with them. I decided to just mention it in my essay briefly rather than writing an entire new essay, but it's really up to you. If you think it will help your cause more, then go for it, but if you're still struggling or anything, be sure not to show yourself as a risk. Maybe, if whatever the illness was, if it's better, then your doctor could write a letter saying how well you're doing and all that.</p>
<p>my opinion is to provide a very positive essay. that's because I feel that admissions ppl get a ton of depressing essay talking about disease and unhappiness. I think your counselor will do a good job telling them how it is.</p>
<p>Use your essay to show the unis how, in spite of ur illness, u r still a happy person in control of your life. That might work to your advantage.</p>