I know this is sort of out-dated, but I have sort of a related question…well maybe not too related. Anyway, I have always had some serious problems with concentration and especially school. I can’t really sit still and I’ve never even taken notes. However, at the risk of sounding sort of…conceited or something…I’ve never really had to take notes (as I’m sure many others haven’t on here.) The point I’m trying to make is that up until school started getting difficult for me(last year, 11th grade), I never had problems getting my homework done or getting good grades because even though it may have taken me longer, it was just sort of easy (if that makes sense?) Anyway, last year I started having all sorts of problems getting work done, finishing tests, etc. Of course, being the overachiever that I am, I’d just stay up all night or something to finish it. This year, when I was meeting with my GC to talk about colleges, I mentioned it to her, and how I didn’t know if I could handle to no sleep routine again this year. Then, she suggested I visit a doc and get a ADHD screening. So, long story short, I got diagnosed in like Nov or Dec of this year.
My question is, although some may not agree, I am quite sure I could have done better in school had I been on medication or had extra time, etc. I feel as though I should contact my colleges now and tell them, but would that seem like a desperate attempt to manipulate them (esp. my ED school that I was deferred from)? A lot of people say “your test scores are too high for you to have a learning disability” and stuff like that…and I really don’t know if the adcoms would think that too? I really believe that I could have done so much better, esp. on the SATs, I didn’t even come close to finishing
<p>Well, what should have happened is that information should have gone into the GC's rec - emphasizing that the problem was under control. For your ED school, see if your GC will write an additional rec discussing your improvement under the medication. </p>
<p>My initial thought on your RD schools is that you should let these stand, and not include an update letter - but others will have opinions on this. Do you have any acceptances yet?</p>
<p>My S disclosed his disablity to all the schools he applied to by way of a cover letter that accompanied each application. This inforamation falls under "other information we will use in evaluating your application" We have been told that an honest explanation descibing your deficit and what you have done to compensate is important. A call from school verifying/clarifying your diagnosis wouldn't hurt. In light of your discovery, you should investigate each schools' disablity office to make sure they can accomodate your disability. The notion that ADHD kids do not score well or can not or become exceptional students is ABSOLUTELY false. You have been lucky so far. Now, take care of business, find out how you learn best and what accomodations you need in a university setting. Make sure you understand what services you qualify for and what documentation you need to support it. Good luck!</p>
<p>I agree with ohio mom that you should get the guidance counselor to mention the fact that you have discovered this disorder recently, have improved under medication, could have done better but miraculously have been doing well etc.
I'm not sure whether it should be sent to all the schools or just you Early school.</p>
<p>My situation is the same as yours...except my english score is so low compared to my math that you cant say "your test scores are too high for you to have a learning disability." Like you, I wasnt challenged until i took 5 AP's junior year. I was the guy in the back of the room who ****ed off all the teachers by staring at the ceiling and never doing hw but always having a 100+ average. This is year is different though; my transcript makes me cry. I went from no work, to working twice as hard as everyone else just to get B's. I know if i take the medicine i probably will be able to concentrate better, but I have chosen to not take the drugs. Grades are not important to me at all, whats important is that I learn.</p>
<p>i didnt disclose my condition except to one schools (im not really sure why,i just did). I am choosing not to have any sort of help in college. My GC nor my teachers in HS know about my condition and i intend to keep it that way.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm still sort of torn because I don't want it to seem like I'm being manipulative (for my ED school). I have already been accepted to a few schools, including UPenn which is my #1 choice assuming I don't get into my ED school...so I think I might just leave my RD apps as they are and not worry about letting the schools know. I'll talk to my GC about my ED school though! Thanks again for the good suggestions! :)</p>
<p>Um? I got in RD? Haha...I'm guessing you're asking how I know though. After my interview w/the admissions director they emailed me saying I got in. Yay. :)</p>
<p>NickyJane -
glad you are in at Penn State - a friend of my son's is there and is really enjoying it. Physics major - but has gotten to take all sorts of interesting courses - beekeeping and Chinese - very cool. </p>
<p>Dukedreamer,
I appreciate the fact that you don't want to do the ADHD drugs, but if it turns out you need help, don't be reluctant to ask for it. 'No man is an island' and all that.</p>
<p>Penn has several undergrad schools, one of them being nursing. The majority of the students in nursing double major w/something in a different school and everyone has the option to do so. That said, I wouldn't try to sneak into nursing if you're not interested in it and just want to switch out.</p>
<p>Just the idea of knowing in Feb, without having to apply ED. Why does this school notify before the others. Do you know what average stats are there?</p>
<p>Penn doesn't publish stats for the individual schools...but of the schools at Penn it's pretty much the easiest to get into. I'm not sure why it notifies before the others, but it's a really small program (only about 100 students per class) and they want to get to know people early I guess. As far as stats, it's hard to say...there are people in the 1200s (for SATs) that get in, while I know someone who got rejected w/a 1490 and really good "stats". It's sort of less stats oriented, I'd say, because everyone does an interview w/Marianne Smith and I think that matters for a lot...the personality type stuff. And, of course, they're looking for people who are trying to weasel into Wharton. But yeah it definitely rocks that you get to find out so soon, and it's an awesome program! :)</p>