Mentioning my ADD in college applications?

Applying to College
1

<p>In my Junior year, I was diagnosed with <em>minor/ medium</em> ADD by my psychologist. I'm currently taking Daytrana, which has helped immensely. </p>

<p>No, I'm not one of those students who tries to make excuses for his bad grades, I'm positive I've had ADD all my life. Elementary/middle school teachers always wrote that I was too hyperactive or unfocused. I was even recommended to be held back in 4th grade! And I've undergone all sorts of alternative therapy; brain wave analysis, some sort of spiritual smoke therapy, a famous "healer" in LA, and a famous Russian "healer". It wasn't until last year until my parents finally decided to just see a psychologist. </p>

<p>Unsurprisingly, I have a low GPA: 2.65 (I've received 3 D's, retook them all in summer school). </p>

<p>Thanks to the medication and some personal maturing, I feel that I've gained a majority of control over my ADD. I've never had a >3.00 HS GPA or taken AP classes, but now I'm taking 3 AP's and predict my GPA to be around 3.50-3.70. My SAT scores are decent as well, 2020 on the SATI, 640/620 on SATII's. </p>

<p>My question is if I should mention my minor ADD in my application or not. I'm afraid colleges will see the numbers and just think I'm a slacker. I know not to use it as a sob story or excuse, so I feel briefly mentioning it in a paragraph would help explain some inconsistencies. </p>

<p>I'm mainly applying to UC's, even though I'm not technically eligible. I have decent EC's and a strong essay, but seeing the admit rates for below 3.00 students is scaring me. Basically, I feel mentioning ADD is a "what have you got to lose" situation. </p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

2

<p>Absolutely mention it. Point out the difference in your performance post diagnosis plus taking medication verse before doing it. It's a valid explanation for bad grades.</p>

3

<p>The problem is that the difference is going to be in my Senior year grades, which UC's don't include in their initial admissions. I was diagnosed more towards the end of Junior year.</p>

<p>I want to say something like "check my 1st semester Senior grades to see the improvement", but I doubt they'll even bother.</p>

4

<p>Mention it anyways... you have nothing to lose!Send them your first semester grades anyways, if they toss them out, at least you tried. Don't give up-you can always choose the CC transfer option. with Santa Barbara City College, you can live in college housing in Isla vista with all of the UCSB kids and have all of the fun while getting good grades at the CC so you can get a guaranteed transfer to UCSB later. There are many CC's that have transfer agreements with every UC. Good luck!</p>