Student with extenuating circumstances. Do I have a chance? Thanks.

<p>My stats are 3.83 gpa and 25 ACT</p>

<p>However, I had a major gastrointestinal illness that caused me to undergo over 35 procedures and surgeries. I spent so much time at the doctors, hospital, testing. Since my illness affected me, I finished my high school 50% by physically attending high school and 50% through independent study programs.</p>

<p>My illness affected my ability in testing. My freshmen grades were bad because of my health, otherwise I did well.</p>

<p>My health didn't allow me to take too many AP courses. However, I did try my best.</p>

<p>However, I feel my extracurriculars were great.</p>

<p>Attended Northwestern University CTD summer program. Earned A grade in Hons. Constitutional Law Course. Evanston, IL.</p>

<p>Double Eagle Honoree Award: Awarded to school's Most Valuable Student based on academics, leadership, extracurricular accomplishments, community service, and character.</p>

<p>Golden Citizen Award: Awarded to school's best student in leadership, extracurricular accomplishments, comm. service, and character.</p>

<p>4 term president- FBLA
FBLA National Qualifier, Chicago, IL, 2007, Management Decision Making</p>

<p>Musician- Tabla, Drums of India
Performed on 3 CDs: Colors of Mind, Winds of Melody, and Sitar Sur
Performed at major concerts and universities around the country.</p>

<p>2 Term Debate Captain
NFL Distinction Rank</p>

<p>3 Term President- Young Republican's Club</p>

<p>3 Term President-Founder: Junior Statesmen of America</p>

<p>2 term youth secretary. 2 term Newsletter Editor:
India Association of Colorado</p>

<p>State Chairman: Students for Mitt Romney</p>

<p>Jobs:</p>

<p>Tabla Instructor
Conducted Human Biology research and computer graphics design for an anatomy software used by medical school students.</p>

<p>My recs. were great. My teachers showed them to me, and they all said best student encountered in career, and also gave detailed examples as to why I should be accepted.</p>

<p>Double Eagle Honoree Award: Awarded to school's Most Valuable Student based on academics, leadership, extracurricular accomplishments, community service, and character.</p>

<p>Golden Citizen Award: Awarded to school's best student in leadership, extracurricular accomplishments, comm. service, and character</p>

<p>just for your information, the above awards will not help you at all for college admin cus its an award given only by yur school</p>

<p>If you're really what you claim to be, I personally feel you'd be a strong, competitive candidate. The GPA is perfectly fine. The ACT is dreadful, though.</p>

<p>Yes; I agree with kwu, and now that I think about it that's strange. If it's your illness that affected your performance, it should really be the other way around - you demonstrating your intelligence and capacity for logical reasoning in the ACT, and coming up short on your GPA because your illness didn't allow you to put in time. Those stats might make colleges question whether your illness really had the effect you claim it did. </p>

<p>mayiplzgovertigo, that's not necessarily true. I heard from a Yale rep that those things can help, so they should always go on your app.</p>

<p>Thanks for your post. What happened regarding the testing was that the symptoms of my illness (Ex. Pain, Bleeding, etc) made it difficult for me to sit through testing. Whereas, I completed my education on a part-time basis and was able to manage my health better.</p>

<p>Milanc18-</p>

<p>I posted the following in another section and thought it might help:</p>

<p>"I think people are making a big mistake when they attribute college rejection to imperfect scores or grades. I have been reading these discussions for a few weeks, and was beginning to expect a rejection for my D because her stats were not perfect, and it seemed there were so many amazing applicants. </p>

<p>Last night, much to my surprise, my D received an acceptance to Stanford SCEA. I think we both were surprised because she has definitely earned some Bs (although she takes the hardest classes, i.e., AP multivariable calc...); her SATs were not perfect (but were good: 2280 first and only sitting); she had only one main community service for which she worked very hard; she is caucasion; and, has no sport for which she was recruited. She also had no national or state awards other than the usual (NMSF, AP Scholar); no legacy; and went to two different (9-10 and 11-12) (reasonably good, not ultra elite) private schools. In fact, whenever it came time to make a choice between something she loved and an obvious "hook," I always told her to do what she loved, and she always did.</p>

<p>I may be wrong (Who really knows?) but I believe the things that helped her were: she is always in school leadership positions; works very hard; does very well in math and science, well in everything else; and loves drama (but no lead roles.)</p>

<p>The only thing that was especially unique about my D, other than maybe this fairly balanced combination of things, was that she became very ill for six months, dropped out of school for an entire year between 10th and 11th grade, and for her last two years chose to attend a boarding school across the country. And, more important I think, is that after a cautious start at the boarding school, she picked right up where she had left off. I think she showed willingness to take chances, resilience, and that she could do well anywhere. </p>

<p>Anyway, that's my explanation. I can't explain it any other way. Needless to say, we feel very fortunate."</p>

<p>Good Luck and don't give up; it's not all about the stats.</p>

<p>Did you ask for extra time accomodations on the ACT? Your illness sounds like a good objective reason, if you have time to take it again. A lot of students suddenly develop learning disabilities after their junior year PSATs come back and need extra time (or Adderall).</p>

<p>If you make sure to explain that to the people reading your application so it provides a good explanation for the consequences, then yeah, it shouldn't hurt you! Overcoming hardships is a good thing.</p>

<p>While Yale might view hardship in a different light, the fact remains they fill spots based upon their needs. S was diagnosed with ALL childhood leukemia Jan. of junior year and went into remission with chemo treatments 30 days later. He was out of school for six months the second half of the year and had a tutor come in once he became strong enough to study in March. Was taking all AP and honors courses. For the most part, he did the reading, took tests, and did much of his studying in solitude. As a determined student athlete (elected Captain of both football and lacrosse teams) he was determined to do his best and find a way to get back. Finally, he was allowed to return to school his senior year-and came back athletically with doctor's clearance to become a kicker on the football team as contact (he was the team's starting center) was out of the question. The days were hard. Sometimes he was out for chemo related side effects (treatment does last 2 1/2 years), but he pushed on took his SATs, continued through senior with his studies-found a way to play lacrosse, and graduate in June, 2007-all while continuing treatments. He was wait listed at Yale and Dartmouth with these stats but found a home at Bucknell where he was awarded a sizeable, wonderful academic scholarship while continuing his treatments. When he was diagnosed he was being recruited for both football and lacrosse at Yale, Dartmouth, Princeton, Penn, Middlebury. All the athletic hooks he might have had went out the window because of his condition. Today is an extremely happy freshman at Bucknell. While he was disappointed by his wait list status at Yale-he was realistic to understand that great grades, ECs, or athletic achievements does not always guarantee acceptance. Best of luck--you will do quite well I'm sure.
Some of his Stats
Graduated sixth in his class
GPA 4.1
SAT
Verbal 700
Math 730
AP US 5
AP Bio 5
AP Calc 5
AP Physics 5
Yale Book Award
NHS
Eagle Scout
Wendy's National Heisman Finalist Football
National Red Cross Honoree for Blood Drive Donor Recruitment
National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete
US Lacrosse Academic All America
Counselor at a camp for children with AIDS</p>