<p>Momobsessed -- Just a vote of confidence that you are doing the right thing. My oldest made a similar decision when he applied to colleges (5 years ago, now) with a different health issue. I disagreed with him then, but I believe it was the right thing after all. It seemed to me that he should get "extra credit" for dealing with a life-threatening illness and surgery during HS, but he wanted to focus only on academics. </p>
<p>Since then, I've learned of others who did disclose various problems, who were ultimately rejected from colleges that seemed otherwise to fit, and I suspect the decision was made based on the fact that the schools didn't want to deal with any health issues. Coming out of a public HS, we are somewhat conditioned for the school to "have to care" about our kids, but the universities, I think, are looking for high success, low maintenance kids.</p>
<p>After S was admitted, there was a time when he had to explain his health history to the school health services, in order to receive appropriate treatment. But most people at school never knew.</p>
<p>Disclose without a doubt. The main concern--maybe not here, but in the long view--is not what school she gets into, but what kind of life she has once she's there. How (if) the school reacts will reflect something about its character and personality. The last thing you want is to find out a year down the road that the school she chooses (chooses her) is insecure, inflexible, dispasionate, or what have you. Her stats are good enough for MANY top notch schools--visit, ask, observe, reserve a pool of possible choices. But play it on the up and up. In the long run, this could be quite illuminating.</p>
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<p>Reading 710, Math 720>></p>
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<p>These are excellent standardized test scores. In my opinion if you put "standardized test scores were affected by OCD/ADD", it will look like you are groping for perfect 800s. BUT I would disclose this information on a small spot on the application somewhere...but not to explain away the "lower standardized test scores" but more to tell a bit about this youngster. Plus, I would assume that if she matriculates at a college she will continue to take her medications and that would make ME want to disclose this info at LEAST to the Heath Service.</p>
<p>We would of course disclose after she is accepted because she will have to continue her meds and Health Services will need to know about it. We are really not trying to hide anything, just trying to make sure that nothing is held against her in the app process. </p>
<p>thumper1- you are right that her test scores are not bad. I guess I have been reading this board too much, there are so many super qualified kids. It is just that her test scores do not really reflect her academic ability -- and I am not just saying that as a parent rooting for her kid. She attends a very rigorous prep school (not a big reputation as it is very small) -- and is top of her class. She is a very intellectual, academically oriented student who loves learning and just about every subject she studies. We just want to see that she gets the best opportunities in her college experience.</p>
<p>Momobsessed, love your name--I can identify! I too have a daughter with OCD & ADHD in 10th grade at a rigorous private school. She does have accommodations though--50% extended time on tests. In preparation for PSAT & SAT, she received 100% extended time on testing and the right to use large block answer sheets (her OCD makes it too time-consuming for her to fill out the scantron circles). I have been thinking about this issue for her as well.</p>
<p>She is an extremely bright and very intellectually curious kid--one who has been described by many different people for her entire life as an "old soul".</p>
<p>Interestingly, she does quite well on standardized tests, although her grades are not as high as you would extpect. She works VERY hard, but even with supporting medication, she has concentration and organizational issues.</p>
<p>Because it takes her SO long to get her work done--which she NEVER--complains about--we're actually afraid that she'll get into a school that's so academically challenging that she will literally have no time to do anything but study.</p>
<p>I believe this is a kid who should NOT go to the most academically rigorous school she can get into. Have any of you experienced this dilemma? It seems that these conditions should be disclosed, because you want your child to have the support they need once they get to school. At least, do due diligience to find out what sort of study support the school provides if your child sneaks in under the LD radar and then finds out that assistance is required.</p>
<p>The only score that jumps out at me is the very low essay score. This will absolutely affect her. </p>
<p>I do not think that you should write a statement about this. Since it has not affected her dramatically in an academic sense, I think it would look as if you were making excuses. If her english teacher is writing a rec, ask him or her to mention her trouble writing under timed circumstances, and the reason for this difficulty (documented ADD). You can also get the GC to let the college know in a way that isn't obtrusive. </p>
<p>I think the most important thing is to make sure her essay is fantastic. I would also suggest a rec from an english teacher, so that this is further backed up. Colleges recognize that some students have trouble writing while timed.</p>
<p>My daughter will not be disclosing her ADHD nor her anxiety issues or her other medical problems. The only one that may be disclosed is her 7 month long headache which did get resolved and is a great example of her tenacity and her hard work. That happened in 9th grade and so there is distance. In terms of interviews. she is only a junior but has had a spot interview at one college after a tour and it went very well. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I would carefully go over the college website and get a feel for how they treat ADHD, OCD or other such disorders. We ruled out at least one because it was isolated and didn’t seem to have a good handle on treating them. My d has never had accomodations in learning but will need to have a single room (due to devasting migraines that we want never to turn into another seven month long headache). We are choosing colleges partly based on that. Other things we will need is access to medical specialists in a commuting area. That takes out some colleges too.</p>
<p>^What universities are you applying to? I heard public universities are more likely to accommodate than private when disclosing. So, I thought it might be beneficial to disclose in these circumstances.</p>