<p>Hi. I was hoping to tell my story (it's a bit long, sorry), and hopefully get some good advice on the best course of action.</p>
<p>I started college at Seton Hall University. I went there because I got a full ride Army ROTC scholarship. Yet, I found the education I was getting to be pretty poor (I had a 3.98 without even putting much effort in), I didn't want to be an officer (I'd rather enlist first) in the military, and I wanted a real challenge, so I decided to leave. </p>
<p>My plan was to enlist in the army, and then after my four years apply to Columbia's school of general studies. Unfortunately, a few months before I was set to leave, I started getting really sick. I was bounced around from doctor to doctor until they finally diagnosed me with allergies, which also cause me to have mild asthma, and moderate sleep apnea. The asthma was just enough to keep me out of the military.</p>
<p>At that point, it was too late for me to apply to Columbia, and I was sort of stuck. So I started taking classes part time at a nearby school (Kent State) where I could still get in despite classes being weeks away. That is where I'm at right now. I'm also have an internship as an editorial assistant and a small publishing firm, and a job as a cleanroom assistant at the Liquid Crystals Institute at Kent State. Between these two things I work full time.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, my ailments have caught up with me in this pursuit as well. The condition of sleep apnea causes a person to get very little or none of the deep, restorative sleep that we need. Due to this, my abilities in concentration and especially memory have been pretty dampened. I can hardly remember what I was doing 30 minutes ago, or where I set my keys, let alone the Latin name for a koala or what part of the brain is responsible for respiration. Thus, my grades in at least 2 of my 3 classes are subpar. I don't know the exact numbers, but I do know they aren't all A's, which is the level it seems I should be at for admission to Columbia.</p>
<p>I think my previous GPA at Seton Hall speaks for my abilities in the classroom. I'm certain that sleep apnea is the problem, and not the number of hours I work, because I study even more than I normally would, yet still come out with poor results. Also, I can see the sleep apnea taking effect in other areas of my life.</p>
<p>I will be getting a surgery on October 30th, that will open up my airways, and most likely fix my problems with sleep apnea. </p>
<p>Anyways, my question is, what would be the best way to go about this problem? I assume that I have to send my transcripts from Kent State to Columbia, and even if I didn't, I don't like the idea of lying on my admissions essay. I also don't like having to explain away these bad grades. I feel like they are the weakest link in my application. I'm very paranoid that they will think if I couldn't excel at Kent, I can't make it at Columbia. </p>
<p>How should I word this? Should I withdraw from the classes? Any other suggestions or wisdom to offer?</p>
<p>As for next semester, I'm trying to get a new internship with an NGO called Invisible Children. The internship is driving around the country telling people about the problems in Uganda. It's a great organization and something I'm passionate about.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, or anything is unclear, please feel free to e-mail me at <a href="mailto:nowayman72@yahoo.com">nowayman72@yahoo.com</a></p>