<p>I have been diagnosed with ADHD from Middle School and have a 504 plan at high school but i have been told not to disclose this on college apps as could be held against me as negative even though admissions are not suppose to discriminate - but ADHD is a controversial subject (overdiagnosis over medicated etc) . I have been told not to even write about it in personal statement as they have read a million of these - please provide feedback on this
Thank you </p>
<p>Let your guidance counselor do it.</p>
<p>There is a long thread on this on the Learning Differences and Challenges - LD, ADHD forum under pre-college issues where you can read about various persepctives on this decision. If your HS record stands on its own, there is no reason for either you or GC to mention it. If there are things that need explanation, might make sense to have someone mention it. Read that thread, and consider reposting this question on that forum if you don’t get the answers you need.</p>
<p>Look through these threads: <a href=“Search results for '' - College Confidential Forums”>Search results for '' - College Confidential Forums;
<p>If you just want to be certain you get your accommodations, relax. All that happens after admission, using paperwork specifically prepared for that purpose.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice on this. I don’t want to disclose because I don’t think there is any benefit for me in disclosing my ADHD, and might actually be a negative BUT the UC application (for ALL University of California colleges) asks a direct question on their application : " Do you have any special needs? (Learning disability/ADHD)? "
They specifically mention ADHD so in order for me not to disclose - I would have to lie and they might find out through high records etc. </p>
<p>I’m in the same boat as you.
My guidance counselor is going to write a letter to the colleges talking about the issue and what I’ve personally done to combat it, medicine and therapy etc and if you want to mention it in your essay that’s also a possibility.</p>
<p>I wonder what is the purpose of the UC application question? A yes/no answer tells nothing!</p>
<p>I would guess there is something like a regents policy that requires tracking applicants with disabilities as a pro forma way of verifying there is no discrimination going on. I would check the box and not worry about it.</p>