Add. Info or Mid-year Report?

<p>So here's the deal, my grades dropped a little this year (Straight B's, which doesn't seem that bad but I'm aiming for top tier schools and my other scores aren't stellar), but I have an actual excuse. My first quarter was C-worthy due to personal problems and my second quarter is A-worthy (which averages out to B's for the semester and my school doesn't keep quarter grades).</p>

<p>Should I talk about this in the additional info on the applications or should I write a letter and ask my counselor to talk about it in the midyear report? Which is better?</p>

<p>Thanks a bunch!</p>