Explaining illness on college applications

3puppies
Thu, 01 Jun 2017 21:21:36 +0000

OP, I am glad your D has gotten her health in order, and is back on track.

One of DD’s best friends had some troubling medical conditions in the fall of her sophomore year of HS, and they lingered through most of the year. She had a brief hospitalization over her Winter Break, and a setback in late Spring. DD brought her copies of all her class notes for the 5 (of 7) classes they took together. Most of the teachers were glad to help but some didn’t know how frequently they should have been putting summaries together of what was missed, and when it should be made up. Truthfully, I would think the best approach would probably depend on the particular course.

Thankfully, one of her parents is a teacher in another school district, and had contacted the GC and Principal early - once she had missed three classes - and suggested that an accommodation might be appropriate, as they were unsure of how her condition would progress. Our HS GC was not great at coming up with plans/ideas, but the approach her parents suggested (as recommended by the HS GC in the other school district) was taken as a starting point. Most teachers seem to prefer being told “do these X specific things” instead of more vague “we need to accommodate her…”

Ultimately, her GC included a very brief explanation on her rec letter that due to a temporary but significant medical condition, while this student struggled her grades temporarily dipped, she overcame this adversity and returned to being one of the very top students in all of her classes. I believe her parents provided the GC with suggested language for the GC to include.

She ended up being accepted Early Decision at her top choice, at an elite school, and is thriving in a program she really loves.

I wish your D similar success.