<p>Doctor’s do not understand the applications process. In fact, if a doctor were to write a letter documenting the OP’s hospitalization, an Admissions Officer might call the doctor for further information, possibly torpedoing the application. </p>
<p>By law, guidance counselors most document to state officials why a student was not in school for a minimum number of days, so all colleges will take the word of a GC. I would even suggest to the OP that their GC have a sit down meeting with their recommendation writers, as everyone needs to be on the same page with the information provided to colleges about the hospitalization. This is one of those situations where the OP needs the support of guidance counselors and school staff to plead a case for their admission.</p>
<p>Our kids had a lot of health-related absences in HS (1/4 to 1/2 of the academic year most years). With our kids’ permission, the HS guidances counselor did mention it in his recommendation for each of them, as he noted that they did extremely well even though they had absences due to medical conditions that were brought under good control. It is definitely something you should disucss with your GC as to how it is best mentioned and addressed. Colleges will believe what GCs submit and no medical verification is required from any MD.</p>
<p>AFTER admissions, I contacted each U that was being considered to see what accommodations our child could receive if attending that U and what would happen if the student had medically excused absences in terms of making up coursework and possibly exams and projects. It was very important to us to be sure that the school attended would be able to work with our kids and their chronic health conditions. We didn’t go into detail until AFTER the kids were admitted. Once we chose the final U, we submited paperwork with the Office of Disabilties and met with the Dean there, introducing ourselves to him so that our kids would be comfortable contacting the office as needed.</p>