Do colleges really care?

aigiqinf · 04-12-2008, 04:44 PM

How much weight do colleges give to home life? Learning disabilities and other issues?
My parents are both mentally ill and disabled-- physically and mentally, although they both have doctorates before their problems really became this bad. My home life is really hectic because of these, and it adds a lot of stress. I don't get any guidance, and I have to go out and push for ECs and classes. My parents don't want me to do so much.
This is my freshman year, and while I signed up for near all AP Classes next year, my parents encourage me to take standard classes only. When I considered previous "special schools", my mom screamed at me. While we are middle class, most of the money goes towards medicine and doctor visits. I'm getting a job this summer to pay for next years AP classes.

Do colleges care at all? I'm not a minority, and we're not below the poverty level.

Should I mention that even though I was not identified as Learning disabled, in 2nd grade I scored a 99 on an (official) IQ test, and was put into a remedial learning class. And that by the end of second grade, I received an award for reading and excelling on test on 156 books (2nd grade - 7th grade level)?
By 5th grade I was tested and read at the college level. In 7th grade I took an (official) IQ test and scored well over 130. By 9th grade I have scored a lexile (reading level) score in the post-graduate level. I attribute my lack of success in the early years to the stress at home.... and I still find myself lacking basic skills... but excelling on advanced materials.
Do colleges care?

hebrewhammer · 04-12-2008, 05:05 PM

yeah, you could/should probably write your essay about the difficulties of your home life

poetrygirl · 04-12-2008, 05:20 PM

It sounds like you've made a lot of progress and overcome a lot. If you want to write your essay on it, you could show how hard you work and what you've overcome. You could also mention it in interviews, if the topic comes up.
Colleges also do like to see that you can work--getting a job might give you a bit of a boost (I know job history is asked in most applications). Taking AP classes your sophomore year is also an achievement (we're not allowed to do that at my school).

I don't know how much you can work in home life, except in your essay. If you do mention it, I would mention it in the context of your parents having disabilities, not that they don't want you taking difficult classes.

Since next year is your sophomore year, don't worry about it too much right now. Enjoy your classes and activities and good luck!

aigiqinf · 04-12-2008, 05:23 PM

But how much do they weigh it? I guess what I mean is, do top colleges care? I don't believe I'll be out of range (I'm a freshman, I took a practice SAT from a book and scored around 2200, I have a good number of EC's and awards, and I have a very strong course load.) But at the end of the day do they care? Or does it just get me a good essay rating?

Well, I mean just the fact that my parents have problems isn't really rare. What I want to show is how I am affected, and what I've done to surmount it.

Elastine · 04-12-2008, 05:45 PM

make sure you dont make it sound like a despo plea if you do write an essay on that. just make it true and simple.

tli83 · 04-12-2008, 05:53 PM

Colleges are interested in seeing that you have made the most of the opportunities given to you. People suggest writing an essay about your situation because it gives context to your application and the things you have achieved - it tells colleges that there have been particular constraints in your life, that your opportunities may not have been what the college assumes based on your social or economic situation or your school, and they can judge your application in light of this extra information.

No-one can tell you how much weight a college will give it. They don't use a special formula where you get 10 bonus points for overcoming adversity. Colleges will take it into account, along with many other things, if you are able to show how you have achieved despite your circumstances without complaining or begging or making it sound like you are using it as an excuse.

You might also mention it to your GC, if you are happy to do so. It's the kind of thing GCs will mention in their recs. It would also be good for you to speak to your GC about it so that they know that you do not have an adult to give you advice and you may need additional support.

But this is a long way off. You do not need to be thinking about these kind of things while you are only a freshman. Think now about the things that you can control: taking a rigorous courseload, finding ECs that you enjoy.

aigiqinf · 04-12-2008, 05:55 PM

Thank you tli83.

nmehta4 · 04-12-2008, 07:59 PM

after reading your post, i really think you'll make it big even if u don't get an advantage. but like everyone else says focus your essay on this. your story is really really excellent, and you'll find a lot of support with friends.

you'llsee... · 04-12-2008, 08:59 PM

yes..........

FellowCCViewer · 04-13-2008, 02:33 AM

Sounds like you'll be writing a breathtaking essay.

Bourne · 04-13-2008, 02:54 AM

Yeah. Real nice story you have here.

A question?

How does your IQ jump 31 points? I've never heard of that happening before. Were those tests performed by real doctors/specialists?

Elastine · 04-13-2008, 07:52 AM

99 is pretty much the average iq, why would you be put into remedial stuff for that?

Just curious. Its generally below 70 that is considered for such stuff.

aigiqinf · 04-13-2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Yeah. Real nice story you have here.

A question?

How does your IQ jump 31 points? I've never heard of that happening before. Were those tests performed by real doctors/specialists?

Honestly, I don't know how you jump 31+... When I requested my folder last year, an IQ test in 2nd grade had been listed with that score. I don't know who preformed it, but I guess it had to be some professional to give it in connection with the school. I'm not even sure why it's listed.

The second test was given by a licensed psychologist while I was in 7th grade. (This wasn't administered in school.) I took a Wechsler test. My parents actually asked for a "general idea." Because of this when I reached a certain point in his area, the psychologist just stopped. (Meaning he could give me my classification, but not an exact score.) He told me I scored in the "Very Superior" range, which is the highest tier on Wechsler's scale. All this tells me however, is that my IQ is equal to or more than 130. (Which is the 98th percentile or above.)
My only explanation is that the increased stress at that young time in my life (My parents were just starting therapy for their mental illnesses, and I've been told a lot of stressful things happened at that time.) led to me being a very late bloomer...

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that my IQ was the reason I was put in remedial stuff. I was just overall a dull person, and I was really behind in reading, that's why I included how my reading level changed later. I don't believe I could actually read until 2nd grade.

Pyroclasm · 04-19-2008, 11:54 PM

Don't worry, they probably wrote your IQ down in base 6 the second time.

happymomof1 · 04-20-2008, 12:27 AM

Contrary to popular opinion, IQ is not fixed. Exposure to new experiences, and especially doing massive amounts of reading, can raise the score. So can taking a test that is scored differently, or designed differently, or whatever. There are educational psychologists and cognitive scientists out there who have devoted their entire professional careers to this issue.

Be sure that your Guidance Counselor knows all about your family situation so that you can get good advice when you are selecting colleges, and so that he/she can include pertinent details in his/her letters of recommendations.

Wishing you all the best.