Applicant 4: Lynda Kramer

Biographical Sketch: Lynda Kramer is a 37-year-old woman seeking higher education for the first time. She was a solid, although not academically exceptional student who was forced to drop out of high school after her junior year, when she discovered she was pregnant. She married soon afterwards. Her son was born with severe cerebral palsy, and she spent the next 19 years caring for him full time at home. Although she was interested in going to college, the demands of her son's condition and the fact that her husband's military career required the family to move frequently has made higher education impossible until now. Her son, now nearly an adult, has just moved into a halfway house where he will live independently. Her husband has retired from the military and started a small business in Payne, just 20 miles west of Texas State University. Lynda wants to draw on her experience as a mother, caregiver, and community activist for the disabled to pursue a degree in special education and social work. Her academic credentials are somewhat below Texas State's standards, but she argues that her experience, motivation and commitment--along with the difficult circumstances that hindered her previous education--merit special consideration.

Name: Lynda Marie Kramer Social Security Number: 000-04-1209 Address/Phone:  1005 Jackson Hollow Dr. Payne, TX 73295  (912)555-2365 Ethnicity: Caucasian

High School: Norton High School Norton, OK 70008 Received G.E.D. 5/81 High School GPA: 2.8* (attended three years but did not graduate) Class Rank: n/a ACT Composite: 20 SAT Scores: 550 (verbal), 490 (quantitative)

I. Personal Essay: Please explain in 250-500 words why you wish to attend Texas State University and how you think you could contribute to the university community here.
 

At 36 years old, I am probably the oldest person applying for freshman admission, as well as one of the only who received a G.E.D. rather than graduating from high school. Despite these drawbacks, you won't be sorry if you accept me as a student at Texas State. I have lived long enough to know what I want out of life, and I've experienced enough to know how to succeed. I have strong career goals and I plan to attain them.  First, let me explain why I want to attend your college. I have spent the past 17 years of my life caring for my son who has severe Cerebral Palsy. He has just moved into a community half-way house where he will be able to work in a sheltered workshop with other disabled adults, earn a real salary, and live with relative independence for the first time in his life. Because raising a child with a disability I have faced discrimination, ignorance, and fear--I want to spend my new freedom learning to become an advocate for people like my son. I want to double major in social work and special education, then work for the state government in some capacity helping disabled people. Texas State is the only university in the state that offers this double major: if I attended another school, I would have to choose one field or the other. I realize that my school record is not as impressive as many younger students today. I dropped out of high school after my junior year when my son was born and I got married. My husband was in the military, so we moved around a good deal in the years after that, and I spent my time at home caring for my son. We could not afford hired help, but we could not stand the thought of putting him in an institution. So I haven't had a chance to even think about college until now. I have read that older students often do better in college because they are mature enough to set priorities. I promise you that if I am admitted, my priorities, skills, and dreams will guide me to success at Texas State University.

II. Letters of Recommendation: Please attach letters of recommendation from two individuals not related to you who are familiar with your academic background.

Mark Levin-Rainey, M.D., A.C.P. Pediatric Neurology Clinic Harmon Regional Hospital Payne, TX 73295 Dear Admissions Committee: I write to urge you to admit Lynda Kramer to your incoming class this fall. I have been treating Ms. Kramer's son for complications related to his cerebral palsy since the family moved to Payne three years ago, and she has become one of the most devoted and skilled volunteers at my clinic. She currently heads a support group for parents of children with neurological disorders and has organized a referral program to help parents find emergency and respite care. She and her husband have also organized several field trips for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, including a trip to the San Antonio Zoo last year and an overnight campout at Big Bend State Park the year before. These activities require substantial commitment and organizational ability. I have no doubt that Mrs. Kramer will succeed in any college program she pursues. After spending most of her youth caring for her disabled son, Mrs. Kramer is eager to start a professional career that draws on her experience and proven abilities. She already knows more about the needs of patients with neurological disorders than most people learn in a lifetime. She would be an asset to your special education and social work programs. Please contact my office at any time if you would like to discuss Mrs. Kramer's work further. Respectfully, Mark Levin-Raney, M.D., A.C.P.

Sheldon Hacker Executive Director Every Child Can Foundation 49328 Kramer Lane San Antonio, TX 76245 Dear Admissions Staff: I am writing to support the application of Lynda Kramer to your undergraduate program. Mrs. Kramer has been a participant in our volunteer advocacy program for disabled children for the past two years. She has acted as part of a parent team who visit state legislators' offices to encourage them to support legislation that benefits disabled children and their families. For example, last year, when the Senate proposed a bill that would disallow Medicaid funding for children with certain learning and neurological disorders, Mrs. Kramer and several other volunteers spoke with every Central Texas senator, and wrote a guest editorial that appeared in 12 major state newspapers. Partly due to her efforts, the bill was outvoted. Although conditions for people with disabilities have improved since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1991, important advocacy work remains to be done. We need people like Lynda Kramer as professionals in our field, and the training she would receive at Texas State would give her the credentials that she needs. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Sheldon Hacker

Norton High School 6935 Champion Circle Norton, OK 70008 William F. Snow, Principal  OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: Kramer, Lynda Marie 1. Freshman Year (1978-1979) Algebra I: C English I: B P.E.: B Girls' Chorus: A U.S. History: C Band: B 2. Sophomore Year (1979-1980) Geometry: B English II: B Girls' Chorus: A Biology I: D Band: B Home Economics: B 3. Junior Year (1980-1981) Typing: C American Lit.: B Girls' Chorus: A Texas History: C Chemistry I: C **ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE: Student did not return after junior year. See attached notice of G.E.D. award, 6/81. Extracurricular Activities: Band (1,2), Chorus (1,2,3), Future Homemakers of America (2).