Grad school application | ADHD Information

First off, congratulations.

I did not participate in the poll, but for what it's worth, here's an opinion
from someone that finished graduate school within the last decade.
Though I think this applies to a broad range of situations, not just
graduate school.

Those of us who understand your situation and how difficult it is to get to
where you are will commend your success and appreciate your story.
However, there are many people that will not sympathize either because
they have no measure, or simply are not open-minded enough. That
being the case, if you decide to be open about your condition and how
you have overcome it, you need to be prepared and willing to accept
potentially negative consequences. It may be worth holding back until you
are accepted and physically there.

Usually, graduate schools ask for a personal statement regarding why you
are interested in pursuing higher education and performing research.
Depending on the type of program in which you interested, it may be wise
to write about that instead. Academia is highly competitive, and this is
your chance to let them know why you are a better candidate than
another person in terms of your qualifications and ambitions (in regards
to the research area).

Good luck whatever you decide.

I am applying to grad school. I was on academic probation for 2 sememsters.  I also make the deans list for 3 semesters. Not good enough to have a 3.0.

I have to write a personal statement, some thing I have had to overcome in life.  I wanted to put that I have finally realized my potential by finding out that I have ADD and thus must train and study differently from undergrad.  I also wanted to say that I was proud of who I am, and that has thus since made me a better person. 

PLEASE CRITIQUE!! I NEED HELP!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING THIS POST!!

I am not a guest, I dont know why it is posted like that, but please help me, I dont know what to do.go for it.  i would def use the ADD as an overcoming story, great idea ---- then post it here to cheer us all up too.  good luck!

wow, grad school..........

I probably won't get there till I'm about 50

Here is my what I think;

Growing up I always knew I was a little different then the other kids. I could never figure out no matter how hard I studied why I could never get the same grades as Sally or Mark. Growing up I remember playing with some of the other kids on my street and not really totally fitting in, I was always the one who wanted to go from one game to the next.  Growing through high school my grades were alright. I seemed to do much better in subjects that actually interested me. Going on through college struggling to get by, aceing all my classes that appealed to me but sometimes failing misserably when I didn't like the material we were learning about. I tried to push through those classes, I really did.  Looking back now I can't tell you how long it would take me to read one page of the text. Constantly being distracted by other things going as, even things as simple as hearing the hoot of an owl would send me on whole ten minutes distraction rollercoaster from what was at hand.

I heard others throw the terms ADD or ADHD around but never really understood what it was all about. I heard all the bad publicity and the ridicule of it being over diagnoised. I only really thought it applied to kids and here I am, a grown adult.

One day I looked in the mirror and could hear the persciption drug advertisments  playing over in my head. You know, the ones that describe all the symptoms and then want you to go to the Doc and get them to give you a script for that medication. One particualr commerical kept playing over and over in my head. It was for WebMD I think something about Adult ADD and it finally clicked. As I stood there looking at myself in the mirror every behavior, every trait that was being talked about, it was descibing me. Worse off, it was describing me my entire life.

I went to the Doctors about a week later and after many many tests, I found out I did have ADD and it does effect adults. Years of not being able to finish a project, to not being able to maintain focus and years upon years of failing all came to a close. Believe me its not as easy as taking a pill and everything magically going away. It has taken me many different medication changes, behavioral therapies and a lot of self changing to be the person I am today. So here I am, sitting here writting this letter to try and continue to better myself. To attend graduate school and for the first time in my life, have the same advantages as my peers. Finding out that I wasn't crazy and that all these things I was going through has changed my life. Not only have I had to overcome the fact that I have a neurological disorder but I  had to overcome the person that I had grown to be. Grauduate school is on my path of change but this time change in the right direction.
Hope that helps a little!

My vote is Yes.  However, I would be careful with how you present the subject.  There are many positive advantages to having ADHD and I would showcase these advantages and how the school would benefit. 

Recently I somehow finished my masters degree in business and next year I'm planning on applying to some Phd programs in Neuroscience.  If, like me, your grades will be in question then they will need a very good explanation as to why.  Use examples or imagry that portray your difficulties, the examples will need to be unique compared to the average aplicant.  Paint a specific picture.  My grades in organic lab and biochemistry labs were very good compared to lectures in biochemistry, I would point out this difference. What have you done to change things around and have they helped.  Again being specific and let them know the positives of ADHD.  Finally Create a bright picture of the future with examples that are in  the proactive voice not a passive voice.  Tell them what you are going to do not what you want to do. 

Try to answer questions that might come up about your ADHD

Let us know how it goes.   

I think if you can portray it in a way that shows that you have overcome this obstacle and that it is in the past and won't affect your future performance in a negative way, then you should definitely discuss it in your essay.  It will explain the discrepancy in performance.

Fantastic topic...one major suggestion is read what you wrote it before turning it in..then have someone else read it too...like the post you posted above....

I am applying to grad school. I was on academic probation for 2 semesters.  I also make the deans list for 3 semesters. Not good enough to have a 3.0.

Make should be made...this is the type of problems we have ...we get so excited about writing that we misspell and make errors...and do not take the time to run spell check or to proof read..or when we do proof read we read what we wrote as what we meant to write, but in reality we put things like make and not made, but read it as made...does this make sense...

You will do a fantastic job have faith in yourself!

 

Oh, if only this website had a spell check.   I voted yes, but if you decide not to I can understand why.  Good luck.

Thanks guys,

I really neened the feedback, both pros and cons.  engineeredcell has a great point that I didnt think about. I should have since I am surrounded by people who dont think ADD exists.

Your opinions are respected and most appreciated!!