Unique situation--GPA not accurately representing performance?

<p>I just finished my first semester at USC as a freshman. I received an A in Introductory Biology, an A in French II, and an A- in Arts and Letters (essentially your typical gened english-type class). Here's the thing, I got a C in Chemistry. </p>

<p>The problem was that I got diagnosed with relatively severe ADD (inattentive not hyperactive) about halfway through the semester. With the help of medication I was able to improve my performance significantly in every single class. After I got put on medication I never got anywhere near below a B on any Chemistry assignment/test of any sort. But, by that point we had already had like 3 tests, even though it was only late October. There was just absolutely no way I could catch up, even though I showed significant improvement from every test to the next. </p>

<p>The main problem was that even with the medication it was extremely difficult for me to finish anything in Chemistry, I tried to work to get extra-time with the school, which my psychologist concurred I definitely needed, but the bureaucracy at USC would blow your mind, and it was not going to happen before the end of the semester. I get everything right in the end, it just takes me abnormally long to get there, and no one else in the class seemed to have this problem.</p>

<p>I want to transfer, and this grade is just dragging me down, but I feel like I have a bit of a semi-legitimate excuse for it. My high school transcript is quite good from a very presitigious private school in NYC, so I don't think that will hurt me in any way.</p>

<p>I'm just wondering how much this will effect me as a transfer applicant? What can I/should I do to address this grade when I apply?</p>

<p>i am no admissions officer, but if you mention it in your essay or somewhere in your application, and your grades next semester show that it's under control, i can't imagine anyone that considers themselves a decent human being holding that against you.</p>

<p>where do you plan to apply?</p>

<p>Well, at the risk getting shot down pretty quickly. A semi-preliminary list that was guided by a former Columbia undergraduate admissions officer, who knew Chemistry was not going so hot for me:
Columbia
Wesleyan
U Penn
Brown
NYU
Colby
Bowdoin
Bates
Skidmore</p>

<p>I know tons of those are probably pretty intense reaches, and I probably need more safeties. But I'm not even quite sure I want to apply to some of those schools. I basically just want to be in the Northeast and somewhere that is in as few ways as possible similar in social life to USC (aka no frats and sororities). </p>

<p>My SATs were 2210, 780 Bio E, and 720ish Math 2C. I had some pretty good high school ECs too, not so many at college, but the whole getting used to college plus having to deal with the whole ADD thing was a bit overwhelming (not to mention I don't have a car and are therefore essentially stranded).</p>

<p>It is a legit excuse, but it sounds kinda fishy if you did so well in an elite private HS and never had this problem, or at least not to this extent. anyway i'm sure if you explain it on the Common App, they won't hold it against you. keep in mind though, the C will bring down your gpa by a lot. what's your major? if it isn't Chemistry, shouldn't be a huge deal...just do well next semester. are you applying for fall '09 transfer or later?</p>

<p>btw I think you're def in at skidmore. it's really beautiful too</p>

<p>@sperro: I don't think you should blame the grade on the ADD and go into the details about medication, etc. Sell yourself as someone who is miserable at USC because of the social climate with frats, etc. Drop the hint that the poor grade was due to a large uninspiring lecture setting where you couldn't get enough hands-on learning and couldn't access the professor. The LACs you're looking at are all proud of their intimate learning environments and would certainly understand if you want to transfer to their institutions in order to get a better education with more accessible professors, etc.</p>