<p>Last year, after having a straight A semester in a rigorous course load, I elected to take an even more challenging course load, prompted by my guidance counselor who had suggested it. After signing up, I learned I had ADHD (I got a 2270 on my SATs, but my grades didn't reflect that (4.15 GPA), and I also had been dealing with anxiety for years) and so after some thought, we decided to stick with the courseload because the medication would, hopefully, make things better.</p>
<p>I got my medication 3 weeks before school started and without the work it went perfcectly! I definitely felt more control, better thought, and just at peace... </p>
<p>However, when the work started piling onto me in the school year I have been going through bouts of depression, sickness, and just stress.. In addition to the course load I am a major role in my school's theater production (at least 4 hours each day), am the co-chair for a group in town who is promoting a youth center with a vote on december 5th that I donate most of my days with 2-3 hours time.. This leaves 2 hours of time for homework, maximum. Late nights are not an option because of the medication...</p>
<p>I am doing my best to keep my head above the water, but my grades have dropped to mostly B's, B-'s, and one A... I am applying to places like Notre Dame, USC, BC, etc...</p>
<p>Is this going to really hurt my admission decisions? I feel as if I haven't had control this first semester, and it's just been a culmination of everything I've worked so hard on, coming together at once...</p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>TL;DR: My grades have slipped because I have pushed myself too hard and medication has made it difficult for me to keep up.. How much will this hurt my chances?</p>
<p>Have you already applied? if you have, they will not see this, and it will not matter. The only way it would matter is if you fail 2 or 3 classes and they rescind your acceptance. If you have not already applied, It could slightly affect you, but most colleges realize students are going through a stressful time in high school. As long as you keep your grades respectable you should be fine.</p>
<p>I’m surprised you need ADHD medicine AFTER you proved you could get A’s with a rigorous courseload. It almost sounds like you are over medicated, and may not even need it. When my son finally relented to ADD medicine, he went from C’s to A’s because he could finally sit in one place for more than 5 minutes. </p>
<p>I think you need to look first at your workload and your perceived commitments … grades must come before new community service as well as leading parts in a musical unless you plan to be a musical theater major, and in that case, maybe you don’t need to be taking AP math and science. I only say this because of the anxiety and stress that you have, but it seems to be caused by your own self, not the medicine. You have to reduce your schedule commitments to maintain your health, and you have to balance that with grades.</p>
<p>If you’re concerned about your ADHD and it’s negative affects on your grades, I’m pretty sure there is an additional information option where you can talk about things like that. It’s used to explain a choice of classes or things that aren’t seen on your application otherwise. So maybe try that option out?
But I doubt you wouldn’t get in with those high numbers GL</p>
GL</p>