BioFall

So late in my Sophomore year I was diagnosed with inattentive ADHD. It explained a lot of things especially why I always got C's in my Spanish class, but also why my other grades have really only been adequate as well.

I am now a senior applying for colleges. Since I started getting treatment for my ADHD my grades have increased dramatically (going from mostly B's to mostly A's in AP or enriched classes), and really my life has became much improved.

I had always figured that I would talk about inattentive ADHD in the special circumstances section of the Common App, especially since I only started to get treated for it my junior year and it explains the discrepancy in my gpa.

However after reading some of the posts on CC I have kind of gotten scared as to whether or not I should even mention it. I have never felt as if having ADHD would be a liability to any college I go to and I don't wan't/ feel the need for special assistance or help.

So I guess my question is not so much whether or not I should talk about my ADHD since I really think I am going to have to to explain my low gpa freshman and sophomore year. But I am looking for volunteers to read the very short essay I have written to put in my short essay.

Please PM me or tell me to PM you.

These are the things I am shooting for in my special circumstances essay:
1.) Explain poor grades freshman and sophomore year

2.) Make sure that the colleges don't think that my ADHD should be any sort of liability to them.

Other things I am hoping to get across (though not as important):

3.) Why I still got B's in classes like math or other subjects that relied heavily on knowledge gained from earlier years (knowledge that I didn't grasp much of since I only started to get treated Junior year). I did not write this in my essay anywhere, but I am assuming the admissions knows enough about ADHD that they will be able to make the connection.

4.) Show that I was able to overcome my ADHD and have become a better student because of it.

Please let me know if you want to read it or give me your 2 cents.

Thanks

leafycream

Hi, I know this is pretty late in the game, and considering how your post is about 2 years old, but is it possible if i could read your special circumstances essay? I'm just starting college applications and also have ADD/ADHD but even though I suffered from it I try not to let it affect me, so I'm debating on whether or not it is pertinent to be discussed.

StacJip

leafycream,
I am not the original poster. But I have a son who had special circumstances and who wrote about it for his college essay. What you want to do is write an honest essay that best captures who you are and what challenges you have overcome. Do not be afraid to open up and have it be a bit personal. College admissions officers can tell when something is forced or copied or cliche. Just be yourself and you will be fine.

Also be realistic about what sort of college you are applying to. Make sure you have a selection of colleges where some are reaches, others are good fits and one or two safeties that you would be happy to go to if you had to.

leafycream

StacJip- thank you for your help!!

cmscribe

Our son has ADD, and on advice of his counselor he wrote a very short special circumstances essay, about 50 words, explaining that he was diagnosed during sophomore year and didn't start treatment until junior year (just like you, his grades went up after he started treatment) ... and also describing some of the techniques he uses, such as visual organizers. The counselor said it's important not to come across as whining, just give them the facts and show that you are dealing with it effectively. Hope she was right ... we're waiting now to hear on some EA applications!