VCU is a bit of a reach but will definitely be a good option - lots of services and support with very solid program options. DC simply must explain in essays. This is worth a call to the admissions office before applications are filed - have DC (not you OP!) tell DC's school counselor and line up a very favorable recommendation, and then initiate that contact with VCU admissions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - my son used the spot on his applications to talk about his medical issues. It worked out.

I'm sorry he struggled so much and glad he's doing so well right now.

Thank you. That is good to hear. He wrote on essay addressing the issues and another that avoided them. He is debating which to use. He is concerned with “making excuses.”

The colleges aren’t going to want to see it in three places. If you have the counselor mention it, don’t put it in the essay too.

OP. this is very bad advice. Colleges want to see a personal story that hangs together and feels authentic and having multiple data points to reinforce your son's story is only a positive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - my son used the spot on his applications to talk about his medical issues. It worked out.

I'm sorry he struggled so much and glad he's doing so well right now.

Thank you. That is good to hear. He wrote on essay addressing the issues and another that avoided them. He is debating which to use. He is concerned with “making excuses.”

I agree with him. Do the schools have personal statements in addition to the essay? We have a similar son and my SIL used to do admissions at an Ivy. I wanted him to write about his struggles. She was emphatic that the essay isn't were you do that. The essay should be all "him." If there is a personal statement put it in there about his struggles. If there isn't one then his recommendations should have addressed these issues. The essay is for him to shine and him to show through. Focus on that.

She said that 90% of essays (to her Ivy at least) were about 1.) why a student didn't receive straight As or 2.) their volunteer work. A dime a dozen. She helped my DS with his essay and he is 4 out of 4 for getting into colleges. None of them a top school but all perfect for him and he is so pleased with himself. That is a huge confidence booster so make sure there is a school he likes and will get in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - my son used the spot on his applications to talk about his medical issues. It worked out.

I'm sorry he struggled so much and glad he's doing so well right now.

Thank you. That is good to hear. He wrote on essay addressing the issues and another that avoided them. He is debating which to use. He is concerned with “making excuses.”

It would be a huge mistake to not address the poor performance. Colleges love an application that demonstrates overcoming adversity.....that's why they give a hook to first gen college students. Plus he has to explain the underachievement or he will just look like a slacker which would kill his app.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did he do in 10th grade?

2.9 in 10th. ADHD issues started then and then he crashed junior year.

For the other PP, he is looking at VCU, ODU, Bridgewater and Lynchburg so far.

Do you know how his recommendations will be? That is 2 years of really low GPAs but I would think with strong recommendations, a good essay, good SAT score he has a really good shot.

Recommendations should be good. He chose two teachers he worked with multiple years and excelled in their classes (for example, in one of those classes he finished the material a two weeks ahead of schedule and spent the last two weeks on in class tutoring). They can personally attest to his growth as a student. His counselor said her recommendation will touch on his medical issues and personal growth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - my son used the spot on his applications to talk about his medical issues. It worked out.

I'm sorry he struggled so much and glad he's doing so well right now.

Thank you. That is good to hear. He wrote on essay addressing the issues and another that avoided them. He is debating which to use. He is concerned with “making excuses.”

The colleges aren’t going to want to see it in three places. If you have the counselor mention it, don’t put it in the essay too.

Look at Radford, Mary Washington, ODU, maybe CNU or VCU as an early decision reach. Out of state, there are plenty of good schools that would give him a shot.

Make sure the counselor mentions his personal and medical issues plus his performance before and after in his counselor recommendation, and make sure he has solid teacher recommendations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did he do in 10th grade?

2.9 in 10th. ADHD issues started then and then he crashed junior year.

For the other PP, he is looking at VCU, ODU, Bridgewater and Lynchburg so far.

Helps that he is a male and it would definitely help if he is full pay; Honestly, I think those schools are within reach if he crafts a compelling story in his personal statement that explains the poor performance and perhaps more importantly how he has overcome those issues. He's obviously bright and can do the work as evidenced by this semester's results and his test scores....and that should make you and him very positive about college. Best of luck!

Anonymous wrote:OP - my son used the spot on his applications to talk about his medical issues. It worked out.

I'm sorry he struggled so much and glad he's doing so well right now.

Thank you. That is good to hear. He wrote on essay addressing the issues and another that avoided them. He is debating which to use. He is concerned with “making excuses.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How did he do in 10th grade?

2.9 in 10th. ADHD issues started then and then he crashed junior year.

For the other PP, he is looking at VCU, ODU, Bridgewater and Lynchburg so far.

Do you know how his recommendations will be? That is 2 years of really low GPAs but I would think with strong recommendations, a good essay, good SAT score he has a really good shot.

OP - my son used the spot on his applications to talk about his medical issues. It worked out.

I'm sorry he struggled so much and glad he's doing so well right now.

Anonymous wrote:How did he do in 10th grade?

2.9 in 10th. ADHD issues started then and then he crashed junior year.

For the other PP, he is looking at VCU, ODU, Bridgewater and Lynchburg so far.

Upward trajectory and a good topic for his essay are both positives. It really depends on what sort of colleges you have on your list.

How did he do in 10th grade?

Son had a rough junior year for a variety of personal reasons (close family member with cancer and death of another close family member) and medical issues (specifically, he started losing a ton of weight on ADHD medication and went off it before finding a better medication). Junior year unweighted GPA was a 2.1 (private school). He turned things around this year. First semester is almost over, and he is up to a 3.5 unweighted GPA. SAT score was a 1280 and ACT was a 28. He is applying regular decision at all his schools so we can get his first semester grades in.

We have a couple schools on the list, but even those are iffy due to his junior year. We have a list of schools to look at but I wonder if anyone here has additional recommendations (we are in VA). FWIW, we know about guaranteed admissions through NOVA amd are considering that route.