So the summer before freshman year I was diagnosed with lymphoma. I attended school as much as I could but later in the year I ended up relapsing and had to withdraw from school entirely. The next summer (before sophmore year) I went in for a bone marrow transplant and some radiation and I am now in remission. I started off the 10th grade fine but with a considerable amount of absences for obvious reasons. I still took honors an ap classes and performed well overall, though not what would be up to par in any other circumstance. I’m in junior year now and take ap lang and comp, us gov, and capstone seminar. My final grades for first semester were all A’s and although I have made it a goal to get all A’s 2nd semester, due to some related issues I’m not 100% sure it’ll happen. 3.7 GPA currently but thats with jacked up credits from when I missed school that I’m still in the process of fixing. I took the ACT and got a 27 (barely studied tbh) but I’m planning on a 31 the next time around. In addition to that I also fence and am the captain of my team for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I should add I received all my treatment at the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital through the University of Michigan health system, thus my dream of attending U of M. Sorry for the vague and rushed question, I’m just curious how my circumstances will affect my application? Not asking if they’ll accept me just because I had cancer, but does my medical history give a reasonable explanation for my academic record not being up to traditional U of M standards?
ayanami, your medical history will definitely be factored in when evaluating your early high school years (9th and 10th grades). You obviously want your school counselor to make note of it in her recommendation/evaluation, and you want to write about it personally, either in your main common app essay, your Michigan supplement (there is a short activity prompt where you can write about your role in your school’s Lymphoma Society) or in the “additional information” section of the common app.
Listen, your GPA is excellent and your medical history will certainly play a huge role when they consider your application. Your ECs are good and, if you get your desired ACT and you write great essays, I honestly can’t imagine them rejecting you.
Despite real (unimaginable) hardships, you’re still taking advanced classes, earning good grades, maintaining out-of-school activities with leadership positions, I’m confident you’ll get your desired ACT score, you’re in-state, and, if posts on CC are a good indicator, you write well. Just make sure to visit and to make your medical history clear to them (as you’re planning to do). Apply EA (early action).
You have an extremely compelling story, are well qualified - especially with the extreme hardships you faced - and have a very, very personal reason to attend UM. You have looked the reaper in the face and walked away. Just explain it in your essays.