Recent Diagnosis with ADHD/College Admissions

Parents Forum Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD
1

<p>Basically, my story goes like this:</p>

<p>I am in the third quarter of my senior year in high school. A few weeks ago, I was officially diagnosed with a fairly severe case of ADHD. While I have a relatively high IQ score (137 per this recent analysis) and high SAT scores (730 CR/670 M), my GPA is atrocious. I've never had the ability to focus beyond five minutes in a classroom setting, and as a result, my GPA isn't so hot (3.4.) Neither is my 187/412 class rank. Even on the SAT, I found my mind incessantly wandering in lieu of actually settling down to focus. Going over the test again, I missed three questions on one math section simply because I misread them or failed to notice some minute but essential detail.</p>

<p>What I am wondering is if there is any way to express this to a college so as to explain any discrepancies between my SAT and GPA.</p>

<p>The schools I applied to are Holy Cross, Villanova, Wheaton College (MA), Providence College, Allegheny College, and the University of Pittsburgh.</p>

2

<p>I think it would be worthwhile telling colleges about this recent diagnosis, and what type of strategies you hope to use to cope with this disability. I’d also recommend that you find out what services these schools offer to students with ADHD.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I wrote an “additional info” essay explaining these kinds of hurdles, why they affected me in high school, and why they wouldn’t impede me in college.</p>