alien lady

Hey everyone! I'm Aileen - I just graduated from SUNY New Paltz. I transferred into their program after attending another school for two years with an Education/studio art double major. I completed the major in two years, graduating on time, but struggled the first year due to undiagnosed Lyme Disease. It was really hard jumping in that first year taking 5 classes in the major per semester feeling so terrible because of the Lyme! GPA: 3.65 GRE: 158V 153Q 4AW EC: NYSSHLA Member, two semesters as research assistant - presented at the ASHA conference in Atlanta I'm applying to a lot of schools - UNC Greensboro UNC Chapel Hill Appalachian State CSU San Diego CSU Redlands CSU East Bay Northeastern Boston University SUNY New Paltz (although I don't want to go back) University of DC My question is - should I address the issue of Lyme Disease in my letter of intent? My GPA isn't ridiculously low, however my first year GPA was around a 3.3, and my second was close to a 4.0. I feel that the first year doesn't represent my academics accurately. Any advice would be awesome!

I'm applying to Redlands, San Diego, and East Bay East Bay is my top pick based on its program - the Aphasia Clinic makes it a good match for me. That being said, it's quite a reach. I'm also from NY, so that will make it even more of a reach. I transferred into the Communication Disorders program and finished in two years, but dealt with undiagnosed Lyme for the first year, so my GPA was significantly lower my first year than my second. Not sure how to address this in the letter of intent (or if I should at all?). Anyone with some pointers would be greatly appreciated!! GPA: 3.65 GRE: 158 V, 153 Q, 4 AW EC: Two semesters of research experience with graduate professor (presented at the ASHA conference in Atlanta), member of NYSSHLA