String of deferrals

chesterton
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 23:48:20 +0000

I don’t know whether a college would reconsider your application in light of information about your ADD diagnosis. An applicant might share that kind of information, whether about ADD or a learning disability or a physical disability, and I can see how an admissions reviewer might take into account how that student overcame the challenges. But is an admissions reviewer expected to ascertain whether an ADD diagnosis is the reason that a student’s stats may not be as competitive? I think that might be asking too much.

In your case, you didn’t really deal with this possible issue until your junior year (did you deal with similar academic issues in junior high or earlier?). The reviewer might wonder why, but again should they take that into account?

It is great that you have been enjoying a much more successful senior year, but given how competitive things are today, you might just have to choose to be happy for the college offers you have received. The good news is that you are far better equipped to do well in college. What I would hate to see happen, though, is for you to get in a pattern of attributing your success to medications and your failures to ADD. Despite your diagnosis, any professor or future employer is not going to want to hear about your ADD (though there are some professions where having ADD is a distinct advantage.). I am sure you have been given tools to help you, and it sounds like you like the results of your medication. Would if have been great for your parents to have taken you to a specialist years ago? Sure, but they probably thought it was normal teen behavior requiring more discipline, not something requiring meds. So you and your parents have learned a lot.

Be thankful for the offers and deferrals you have received, and hopeful for additional offers. Be very thankful that you have learned a lot more about yourself in the past year and look forward to enjoying more success. Wherever you enroll, you now have the tools to fulfill your potential so consider taking that and just run with it. Best wishes.