<p>My high school senior has developed a serious medical problem this year--it negatively affected his first quarter grades, caused him to miss much school time second quarter and will delay his completion of first semester for some time--most likely he will carry medical incompletes on his record until after spring break, the thought being that he can make up work and exams during spring break. There is no expectation that his grades will be stellar for any of his courses during his senior year, and there is some possibility that he will not graduate on time. School is not a high priority right now, his health and recovery are.</p>
<p>Fortunately, he applied ED to one of the major LACS and was accepted. Because of the timing of the admissions process, they did not see his first quarter grades and clearly admitted him based on his prior record.</p>
<p>We (or the high school) need to approach the college about his grades and graduation status. Any tips on how to proceed? Now that the dust is settling medically, we need to figure out how to preserve his chances of attending his first choice college next year</p>
<p>The guidance counselor should write to the school and explain the situation as soon as possible, making it clear that the drop in senior year grades is a reflection of the illness, not senioritis or any problem with your son's academic abilities. I'd do this now, not later. As long as he will be graduating on time, the ED school should be flexible IF the explanation is clear.</p>
<p>Are you positive that he will be ready to start college next fall? I don't know the details, but you might want to think through the possibility of requesting a gap year. </p>
<p>I am sure with assurances from his school that this was truly a medical problem and not senioritis, the school will forgive the drop in grades and graduation status.</p>
<p>I am just thinking that if there is a possibility that he might not be ready for a freshman year of college, you might consider a gap year. Even if he is better and crams all his graduation requirements in before college, he might need a break.</p>
<p>My son developed a tumor on his spine in his senior year in September...first pain. It caused lots of pain that wrapped around and affected muscles in his chest/diaphram if he didn't take anti-inflammatory medicine. If he did, he was fine. He was taking so much for awhile. We were running around during the fall trying to figure out what it was and why!!! MRIs, xrays, doctors! Finally ended up in Israel for a biopsy in the spring at an amazing hospital with amazing doctors. Everything ended up explained and it is getting better as I write. Needless to say, senior year was not how he or I had planned it. He ended up with the top IB scores for his class but his grades dropped in the first semester and the guidance counsellor did send a letter about what was happening with him. It didn't affect college acceptance or scholarships thankfully. At one point, I did wonder if college was going to happen in the fall and considered the "break" issue. He wasn't willing to do it and it has worked out o.k. I had him fly home for Christmas since I didn't know at the time when we made plans if he needed to return to Israel for a visit. Otherwise, I would have gone to see family in the states. I can totally relate to what you are going through; if he is getting better, just be there for support and let him decide if he wants a break or if he really needs it. I don't know your specifics. I think his college will be fine with it if he can get his work together to graduate.</p>
<p>My d had mono (& numerous infections & a mild heart condition) that made her miss school on and off for about 2 months. While the HS wasn't very supportive (insisting she come in if only for a day or two at time), colleges seemed to understand. My d chose to do her portfolio reviews in person in Jan because it took less time to prepare (no photographed portfolios/CDs/websites needed to be prepared) and it gave her the opportunity to discuss her situation. She got sick just at the end of 1st qtr so she had only a couple grades (luckily they were As) and she had no grades for 2nd qtr. We had numerous doctor's notes because my d kept going back to school for a few days, only to feel worse again (needing yet another doctor's letter when she missed school again). Her GC sent a letter to the colleges explaining the predicament. As soon as her work was made up (after spring break), she sent her grades to the colleges with another note from her GC. She was rewarded with scholarships from several of the schools. </p>
<p>As for a more serious medical problem, I hear you overseas. My s (now a HS junior) has a much more complicated medical history (neuro stuff). He's had 18 surgeries through the yrs and takes numerous daily medications to deal with pain and muscle spasms. When things get out of control, he usually ends up in intensive care, needing brain or spinal cord surgery. This is his pattern, but it's unpredictable and can occur suddenly. We hope senior yr will be without incident, but we realize he can wind up missing school at any point for a month or more. Luckily, this lifelong process has taught him to be a very independent student since he's had to "catch up" many times. His stats are good (top 1% of class, all honors/AP classes, good PSATs but no SATs yet, 760 Bio SATII, 5 on AP Bio) but we're not sure if colleges will view him negatively, given his medical issues. We have gone back and forth about whether to discuss this with colleges - his medical history would explain the repeated absenses, limited ECs - the failure to play contact sports, etc but he's afraid the schools will hold it against him. He wants the same opportunities as other students but he's convinced colleges will be afraid to take a chance on him. He doesn't even tell his HS teachers because he wants to earn his grades and thinks the teachers will pity him if they knew his condition. Any advice?</p>
<p>my advice on your son's situation -- call a few college admissions people and ask them. I would think that with colleges looking for more diversity and to add to the diverse knowledge base that a student that has overcome these difficult obstacles would be a welcome addition. But I really don't know. If you luck out, you will find another person here on CC who has been through a similiar situation and can give you some good advice.</p>
<p>Jer, I hear you on mentioning stuff to colleges. Nothing was mentioned to colleges about son's condition last year and it wasn't really taken up with his hs teachers until midterm reports went out and the counsellor said there had been a problem with a back condition but it was better. Neither one of us thought it was good to make a big deal out of it. It wasn't better until he got to Israel and we didn't get that connection for him with the hospital until late spring and we went right after graduation and Ib exams. And they knew what to do, bless those doctors! So it worked out o.k. But I can remember worrying about what if......I just had to take it on a wing and a prayer. But this was all temporary. He had never had anything wrong with him other than earaches when a baby and colds growing up. The tumor is something that happens to young adults mostly male and is benign. Also, I remember thinking, let him apply and accept and if things aren't so good; it can be put off a year if necessary. One day at a time. Medical things are one of those out of the blue occurrences that you just have to deal with. I got my training with it last year. </p>
<p>One thing, I don't know what your son is interested in, but maybe having a good medical center nearby might be one of those things you look for. Other than that, more power to him.</p>
<p>Thank you all. </p>
<p>It has been suggested to us that this is ADA covered. Any thoughts on that?</p>