<p>Medical reasons which prevented you from participating fully in school life are best raised in a letter from the GC. This gives those issues additional credibility and enables you to focus in your essays on what you have since accomplished. Arrange a meeting with your GC to discuss these issues and to demonstrate the progress you have made since your rocky start at this school. Be specific that you would like him/her to address this issue if he/she feels it is appropriate. </p>
<p>While you can’t put words in the GC’s mouth, there is nothing wrong with helping to frame the discussion. At both my kids’ schools, the GC questionnaire specifically asks if there are any reasons why one’s transcript may not reflect one’s abilities, and if there have been any unusual events (divorce, illness, etc.) over one’s HS career. Let the GC handle this --a student trying to explain away poor grades, lack of ECs, etc. just comes off as whining and blaming.</p>
<p>There is no need to lie or stretch the truth here. Not that it’s acceptable in the first place.</p>