Gifted and talented with learning differences

[Anonymous]

My daughter is both very bright and dyslexic. She does have accommodations at High School, she is a junior at a good MCPS high school. Her current unweighted GPA is 3.7 and her weighted GPA is 4.6. Amazing work ethic and extracurriculars. Question: Would you suggest she disclose her dyslexia in her application? Would it be seen as part of her story of being determined and hard worker, or more as a disadvantage in her academic life?

[Anonymous]

Yes..

[Anonymous]

I have 2 kids who are 2e— ADHD and gifted (one of whom went through TJ). Both kids chose to disclose. And both had their guidance counselor disclose, rather than doing it themselves.

My kids didn’t want their essay to be all about ADHD. And the older kid’s counselor could talk about how well one kid had managed TJ with ADHD and the younger kid’s could discuss how well the kid had done with DL during COVID.

Having the counselor discuss worked well. Both had strong admissions results.

Talk to the counselor and talk to you kid about the pros and cons. It should ultimately be their decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids who are 2e— ADHD and gifted (one of whom went through TJ). Both kids chose to disclose. And both had their guidance counselor disclose, rather than doing it themselves.

My kids didn’t want their essay to be all about ADHD. And the older kid’s counselor could talk about how well one kid had managed TJ with ADHD and the younger kid’s could discuss how well the kid had done with DL during COVID.

Having the counselor discuss worked well. Both had strong admissions results.

Talk to the counselor and talk to you kid about the pros and cons. It should ultimately be their decision.

NP. Thanks for this advice.
Mine (also adhd at a magnet) was thinking about incorporating it into her essay. Part of the way she worked through it was to do research on diagnosis, brain function and expression, which was not only informative, but also helped her steer the ship. I thought that might make for an interesting essay that doesn't get mired in the challenges of adhd. But, I know there are those out there who say avoid. What are your thoughts, PP? Anyone else? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I have heard no. But as soon as she is admitted, check out how good their Disability Services are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids who are 2e— ADHD and gifted (one of whom went through TJ). Both kids chose to disclose. And both had their guidance counselor disclose, rather than doing it themselves.

My kids didn’t want their essay to be all about ADHD. And the older kid’s counselor could talk about how well one kid had managed TJ with ADHD and the younger kid’s could discuss how well the kid had done with DL during COVID.

Having the counselor discuss worked well. Both had strong admissions results.

Talk to the counselor and talk to you kid about the pros and cons. It should ultimately be their decision.

NP. Thanks for this advice.
Mine (also adhd at a magnet) was thinking about incorporating it into her essay. Part of the way she worked through it was to do research on diagnosis, brain function and expression, which was not only informative, but also helped her steer the ship. I thought that might make for an interesting essay that doesn't get mired in the challenges of adhd. But, I know there are those out there who say avoid. What are your thoughts, PP? Anyone else? Thanks!

I don't think I personally would enjoy reading an essay about this in an essay. Just sounds like an explanation versus some insight. Having a counselor mention it sounds like a better idea bc they can put a positive spin on it and they need things to write about anyway.

[Anonymous]

Similar situation but son has math disability and ADHD. He wanted it disclosed because it speaks to his work ethic, growth, and a differential in his test scores. He had the counselor address it, which allowed him to write his essays about his specific interests and other topics.

[Anonymous]

Our child was adamant about not disclosing it in any way. We had heard that unless you could show ways that he had "overcome it" that it was not a good idea to disclose. So he didn't. Who knows whether it would help or not. One admissions reader we know said they like to have context to grades and situations when they are reviewing applications. But its his disability and his choice.
't

[Anonymous]

I vote no on disclosing. Too risky. If the grades show improvement over time once the issue is addressed, I would still be inclined not to disclose in most circumstances (depends on the particulars), but if there is no clear trend of improvement-once-addressed, I would definitely not disclose.

[Anonymous]

DD allowed her counselor to disclose it but did not mention it herself. It was part of a larger story of her grit/persistence that we emphasized in the brag sheet for the counselor to pull from.

I don't know how much difference it made. Seeking merit aid, she has mainly applied to safeties/matches but is in to four already with their highest merit awards.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids who are 2e— ADHD and gifted (one of whom went through TJ). Both kids chose to disclose. And both had their guidance counselor disclose, rather than doing it themselves.

My kids didn’t want their essay to be all about ADHD. And the older kid’s counselor could talk about how well one kid had managed TJ with ADHD and the younger kid’s could discuss how well the kid had done with DL during COVID.

Having the counselor discuss worked well. Both had strong admissions results.

Talk to the counselor and talk to you kid about the pros and cons. It should ultimately be their decision.

NP. Thanks for this advice.
Mine (also adhd at a magnet) was thinking about incorporating it into her essay. Part of the way she worked through it was to do research on diagnosis, brain function and expression, which was not only informative, but also helped her steer the ship. I thought that might make for an interesting essay that doesn't get mired in the challenges of adhd. But, I know there are those out there who say avoid. What are your thoughts, PP? Anyone else? Thanks!

Don’t talk about this in essay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids who are 2e— ADHD and gifted (one of whom went through TJ). Both kids chose to disclose. And both had their guidance counselor disclose, rather than doing it themselves.

My kids didn’t want their essay to be all about ADHD. And the older kid’s counselor could talk about how well one kid had managed TJ with ADHD and the younger kid’s could discuss how well the kid had done with DL during COVID.

Having the counselor discuss worked well. Both had strong admissions results.

Talk to the counselor and talk to you kid about the pros and cons. It should ultimately be their decision.

NP. Thanks for this advice.
Mine (also adhd at a magnet) was thinking about incorporating it into her essay. Part of the way she worked through it was to do research on diagnosis, brain function and expression, which was not only informative, but also helped her steer the ship. I thought that might make for an interesting essay that doesn't get mired in the challenges of adhd. But, I know there are those out there who say avoid. What are your thoughts, PP? Anyone else? Thanks!

Don’t talk about this in essay.

+1 sounds like a great kid but that would likely be a bad essay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids who are 2e— ADHD and gifted (one of whom went through TJ). Both kids chose to disclose. And both had their guidance counselor disclose, rather than doing it themselves.

My kids didn’t want their essay to be all about ADHD. And the older kid’s counselor could talk about how well one kid had managed TJ with ADHD and the younger kid’s could discuss how well the kid had done with DL during COVID.

Having the counselor discuss worked well. Both had strong admissions results.

Talk to the counselor and talk to you kid about the pros and cons. It should ultimately be their decision.

NP. Thanks for this advice.
Mine (also adhd at a magnet) was thinking about incorporating it into her essay. Part of the way she worked through it was to do research on diagnosis, brain function and expression, which was not only informative, but also helped her steer the ship. I thought that might make for an interesting essay that doesn't get mired in the challenges of adhd. But, I know there are those out there who say avoid. What are your thoughts, PP? Anyone else? Thanks!

Don’t talk about this in essay.

+1 sounds like a great kid but that would likely be a bad essay

+2. Given the number of kids applying with ADHD and other learning differences, overcoming this isn’t unique. And having a learning difference is a mixed bag. On one hand, the kid had the Grit to overcome it for HS. On the other, accommodations are harder to get in college and the kid is a riskier bet, because how well they will perform when the rigor is stepped up is unknown.

The essay is what sets your kid apart. And what sets your kid apart should be 100% positive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids who are 2e— ADHD and gifted (one of whom went through TJ). Both kids chose to disclose. And both had their guidance counselor disclose, rather than doing it themselves.

My kids didn’t want their essay to be all about ADHD. And the older kid’s counselor could talk about how well one kid had managed TJ with ADHD and the younger kid’s could discuss how well the kid had done with DL during COVID.

Having the counselor discuss worked well. Both had strong admissions results.

Talk to the counselor and talk to you kid about the pros and cons. It should ultimately be their decision.

NP. Thanks for this advice.
Mine (also adhd at a magnet) was thinking about incorporating it into her essay. Part of the way she worked through it was to do research on diagnosis, brain function and expression, which was not only informative, but also helped her steer the ship. I thought that might make for an interesting essay that doesn't get mired in the challenges of adhd. But, I know there are those out there who say avoid. What are your thoughts, PP? Anyone else? Thanks!

Don’t talk about this in essay.

+1 sounds like a great kid but that would likely be a bad essay

+2. Given the number of kids applying with ADHD and other learning differences, overcoming this isn’t unique. And having a learning difference is a mixed bag. On one hand, the kid had the Grit to overcome it for HS. On the other, accommodations are harder to get in college and the kid is a riskier bet, because how well they will perform when the rigor is stepped up is unknown.

The essay is what sets your kid apart. And what sets your kid apart should be 100% positive.

I call BS on both of these. The point of the essay is to stand out and show your uniqueness and personality. Think of it like a class photo. Be the one kid in a red sweater when everyone else is in shades of blue. They're all just kids. Who will they remember?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 kids who are 2e— ADHD and gifted (one of whom went through TJ). Both kids chose to disclose. And both had their guidance counselor disclose, rather than doing it themselves.

My kids didn’t want their essay to be all about ADHD. And the older kid’s counselor could talk about how well one kid had managed TJ with ADHD and the younger kid’s could discuss how well the kid had done with DL during COVID.

Having the counselor discuss worked well. Both had strong admissions results.

Talk to the counselor and talk to you kid about the pros and cons. It should ultimately be their decision.

NP. Thanks for this advice.
Mine (also adhd at a magnet) was thinking about incorporating it into her essay. Part of the way she worked through it was to do research on diagnosis, brain function and expression, which was not only informative, but also helped her steer the ship. I thought that might make for an interesting essay that doesn't get mired in the challenges of adhd. But, I know there are those out there who say avoid. What are your thoughts, PP? Anyone else? Thanks!

Awesome! Great example for common app prompt 1 - neurodiversity, or prompt 5 - personal growth