I am a rising senior and I need your help finding some good colleges for me.
My stats are
3.58 Weighted GPA
Low GPA because I’ve dealt with a physical condition for all 3 years of HS. Junior year it got so worse I had an D+ in class because I missed 260 hours of school out of a little over 1050 hours in total
(don’t know UW not reported ) 1460 SAT, Two Subject Tests, 750 on Lit , 700 on Math2
I have amazing EC’s like organizing an TEDx event, part of the board for the attorney general and did several summer programs and leaders in clubs and part of our schools election based student council and much more
I transferred schools because of mental health issues however it didn’t help and it made it worse because the competition of the school + already things i have dealt with.
My essays is going to talk about how my family escaped persecution in a country and how that the contrast of the two perspectives one perspective rooted from the country I escaped and one about america made me aspire to be someone who can help those that was in the situation I was in. I don’t really care what school I go to but I would love to go to a school with a reputable international affairs program.
First, I am sorry that you have to deal with such a debilitating physical and mental condition. I hope you are doing better.
However, there is always a problem with students who have a serious physical condition. While they say that they do not discriminate, many colleges are reluctant to take on a student who may find it challenging to keep up with their studies. A good friend of my D’s had a very good GPA, and an excellent SAT score, but she also developed a chronic health problem in between her junior and senior year, and, consequently, found herself locked out of many colleges. Luckily our state flagship has an excellent program in her major, however, her health did affect her acceptances.
So maybe speak with your GC and figure out how to address this.
The good news is that there are hundreds of great colleges which accept students with GPAs like yours, especially if the student has very good SAT scores like yours. Use your college search function of your school’s Naviance, and see which schools have UW GPAs of 3.2 or so in their mid-50% range. A large number of these schools have reputable international affairs programs. A great advantage of these schools is that you do not have to tell them about your past health issues.
Regarding your essay - your essay is for you to show the college why you would be a great addition. So, by and large, a “difficult life but persevered” type essay is not usually a good way to do so. I’ve written this elsewhere, but again - your life and struggles are real and have marked your life, and shaped who you are. However, for the admissions officers, they are one story out of thousands, , of which dozens, or hundreds, are talking about how the applicant’s difficult life and their perseverance provided them with a unique perspective. Unless you are an absolutely amazing writer, and can make such an essay engaging and absorbing, do not do so. Your difficulties should be addressed in your letters of recommendation, especially if one is from your GC, not in your essay.
Oh I had no clue that mentioning to colleges about my illness would actually harm my chances. My instate flagship is OSU. My teachers who are giving my LORs are fully aware of my condition and my challenges so I should discuss another topic in my essay?