<p>I meant to say" interfere with ability to work". So much for tablet PC's!</p>
<p>The pro of having the counselor mention it is that it could go a long way to explaining the low GPA in the early years. The con is that with the Va Tech shootings, colleges may be a bit gun-shy in admitting anyone who has had such serious problems.</p>
<p>I wouldn't write an essay about it.</p>
<p>"Gun-shy" is in this case a very painfully literal way of putting it.</p>
<p>I think I took the opposite tactic... although I did not mention it in my personal essay, my grades slipped during my first semester of my senior year and my college counselor advised me to write a letter to the colleges that I was applying to, informing them of the circumstances. </p>
<p>Maybe it was because I was applying to very liberal schools, or that my school had good relationships with several schools I was applying to, but I ended up being accepted to several schools, one I will be attending in the fall.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>"Gun-shy" is in this case a very painfully literal way of putting it.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Whoops--sorry to be insensitive. Didn't think...</p>
<p>I did not mean to suggest that you were being insensitive. It just struck me that the phrase you used, which could be trite in many other circumstances, was so literally true in this case.</p>
<p>I was not offended by this section. By the time the students are filling out orientation paperwork they are accepted. Think about the housing forms where they ask if kids drink or smoke - drinking is against the law, but wouldn't any parent be happier if they knew their child's roommate were honest in their housing form? What if your child were violently ill at the smell of smoke? Even though I think kids can't smoke in the dorms anymore their clothes would still smell of smoke. A similar case could be made for a person with physical handicaps. It's perfectly reasonable to think that a student with a physical handicap could apply and be accepted to a college without the college ever knowing that they have physical limitations. It could have direct bearing on what kinds of services that student might need, not to mention what kind of housing situation, etc. ADA is new enough that accomodations might need to be made. With so many kids mainstreamed now into public K-12 things that may have been apparent or obvious a generation ago are no longer so transparent and the services a unique student might need may very. GCs may not be forthcoming about information on a student for fear of creating a litigous situation, too. Yes, I'm a firm beliver in individual rights, but going to K-12 public is a right, going to college is a priviledge.</p>
<p>A well-written essay about overcoming difficulty could be a good one--but I too would leave off the 'D' word and any descriptions of the therapy or medication--unless directly queried on the application.</p>
<p>I think that this student should really consider staying close to home/home, and getting a year of high school and at least a year of college under his belt off meds before going away. Relapse, even if initially doing well after going off meds, is AT LEAST 50% ifor the general population after the first episode of depression, and probably higher for someone entering college. Given all the adjustments needed, the stress etc, I really think is would behoove this student to stay put for more than just senior year. </p>
<p>And I would not say much about the "D" word either.</p>
<p>Never, ever mention this in any conversation that might be weight in decision making. People will be afraid....</p>
<p>Sorry to part with the crowd here, but I think that his struggles with depression should be dealt with in a straight forward manner in his applications. Now, I do not think that it's the best focus for his personal essay, but I do think that it could be a supplementary essay that could go along with a letter from his doctor or psychologist and a letter from his GC, attesting to his current state of well-being. I would also suggest that he talk with his teachers who will be writing recommendations and request that they discuss his vast improvement over time. </p>
<p>If he avoids mentioning his past with depression, a counselor or teacher may. Even if nobody mentions it, colleges are sure going to wonder about the change from Ds to As and Bs. I think that the reason for this important change in grades needs to be addressed or colleges will be left wondering. Remember, the schools this kid is applying to aren't the Harvards of the world, and they likely have experience admitting students in similar situations to BassDad's young friend.</p>