Does attendance really matter in highschool to colleges? If so, how much do they care?
Hello! I'd like to start off by saying, I have UC (Ulcerative Colitis) which means I have a lot of appointments and days where I'm in a lot of pain. It also takes a bit of a toll on my mental health. That all causes me to miss a decent amount of days in school. I'm starting to get worried that because my attendance is starting to get bad, that I won't be able to live out my dream in college. Will I actually be impacted by this?
3 answers
Denise’s Answer
First off I'd like to say I'm so sorry to hear about your condition, I have friends who have UC and know it can be very painful.
Attendance in high school can be an important factor for academic success and is often considered in the context of a student's overall performance. While regular attendance is generally associated with better grades and a deeper understanding of the material, colleges typically focus more on a student's academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, and standardized test scores rather than attendance records alone.
When it comes to severe illnesses like ulcerative colitis, colleges are generally understanding and take such circumstances into account during the admissions process. Most colleges have a holistic review process that considers the context of a student's performance, including any significant health challenges they may have faced. Students are often encouraged to address these issues in their application essays or through recommendation letters, providing context to any potential discrepancies in their academic record.
Additionally, high schools can provide accommodations or support for students with serious medical conditions, such as individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans, which can help manage attendance and academic requirements.
If you or someone you know is dealing with such a situation, it might be helpful to communicate with school counselors and college admissions offices to ensure they understand the circumstances and can provide the necessary support or considerations.
Best of luck to you in your future academic career!
Swathika’s Answer
I'm really sorry to hear that you're dealing with UC right now. First and foremost, please make sure you're taking good care of yourself. I'm sending you all my positive thoughts and hopes for a speedy recovery.
Now, about your question, yes, attendance is generally important in schools and colleges. However, your situation is a bit different because it's health-related. Most educational institutions understand this and make exceptions for medical reasons. They usually just ask for a valid medical certificate as proof. That's all you need to do, so don't stress too much about it.
Remember, missing school or college because of a health issue is something you can't help and it's definitely not your fault. So, your future isn't going to be jeopardized because of it. No need to worry.
The most important thing right now is for you to focus on getting better. Take care!
Do’s Answer
I’m sorry to hear about your experiencing right now. Of course attendance is really important as a high school student. However, if you communicate with all your teachers and Counselor to inform about your circumstances, They will give you detail informations and steps you need to do in your class. If your school uses Canvas or any online apps that students use to tracking Assignments, please let your Teachers know, they can upload all assignments to help you access on it while you miss school. Since your mental health impact to your learning in school, your counselor could establish some accommodation plans for you to help you success in school and track on your graduation plan. Make sure you include College Coordinator and Career Coordinator in the email as well. They will give provide you the College information and Scholarships. Have a meeting with Teachers, Counselor, and College & Career Coordinator to talk about your situation. Make sure they are on the same page, then your attendance won't impact much.