<p>I’m currently a junior in high school. I’m legally blind and will be training with a guide dog next summer, probably at The Seeing Eye. I was wondering if a guide dog would help me stand out to colleges. All of the schools I’m interested in are known for having very progressive attitudes. I’m interested in UC Santa Cruz, Oberlin College,
UW-Madison, and Macalester College to name a few. UC Berkeley is my dream school but it’s definitely a big reach. My grades show a significant upward trend: 9th grade=2.5, 10th grade=3.5, 11th grade=3.9 unweighted gpa’s. I haven’t taken the sat’s yet but I generally do very well on standardized tests. Basically I’m just wondering if a guide dog is a good hook.</p>
<p>I think just the fact that you are blind is a good hook.</p>
<p>Didn’t mean that to be offensive by the way. Just that you show a great increasing trend despite the hardship and I think colleges will see that.</p>
<p>so how are you reading these posts? haha, just curious
and do the SAT and stuff?</p>
<p>Don’t worry as I’m not easily offended. I can read, I just need really large print. Because I have a disability I get adaptations on the sat. Thanks for your opinion tetutato.</p>
<p>hi. i don’t think your disability will necessarily be a hook, but colleges will not hold it against you, and they will see how hard you’ve worked. for what it’s worth, i have a physical disability, so i’m in a similar boat.</p>
<p>You might keep a journal of your time when you are training with your dog, it might give you some insight into yourself and how you overcome fears & obstacles that you could use in an essay.</p>
<p>Interesting idea intparent</p>
<p>Not a hook, but agree it could make an interesting essay. (But remember, they’ll be looking for your college skills, not just the story.) You’ll need to see if your gpa and future SAT or ACT scores put you in range for those schools- usually we suggest top quartile. But also remember to find safety schools and run the Net Price Calculators to get an idea of affordability. Best wishes- training will be an exciting time.</p>
<p>And best wishes to you also, ironchariot.</p>