Applying to colleges with BIG grade dips...Help.

Applying to College
1

Hi! I’m wondering if I could get advice from CC on how to go about explaining some grade dips on my academic record.

I have struggled with depression since middle school. Freshman year, I did fine and got a 4.2 GPA. Sophomore year, I grew quite depressed, moreso than ever before, and took a month off from school to participate in a treatment program. I didn’t do very well academically, and ended that school year with only two A’s–in English and Philosophy–a D in Chemistry, level drops from the most rigorous AP/honors courseload possible for a student my grade into ‘academic’ (standard) math and science classes, and got B’s in my AP classes. So, my sophomore year GPA was 3.6.
(My school releases a cumulative UW GPA, but does not release an unweighted GPA for each year, so the 4.2 and 3.6 are weighted.)

However, after sophomore year, I made a huge bounce back. I took 4 AP and 1 Honors classes my junior year and got a 5.17 GPA. I was really proud of myself for that. Senior year, I’m taking 5 APs and I feel on track to succeed in them.

i feel that I’ve shown an upward trajectory–started successful, major dip, bounced back with the 5.17 and increasing courseload every year. I got a 33 on my ACT. I do meaningful ECs that I’m extremely passionate about–I’m managing editor of a midsize online magazine and I am a paid writer for the larger parent company that owns that magazine; I’ve won a national award for poetry and have been published in small literary journals.

But even with all that, I still feel like I am at a huge disadvantage–because the sophomore year thing has dragged my cumulative UW gpa to 3.49. Weighted, it’s 4.34, but I feel like I’ll be out of the applicant pool before I can even explain…
So. How DO I explain this on my application? I’m guessing it’ll go in the “Other Info” section of the Common App. Should I admit in full detail that I was depressed, or should I just say I was out for a “medical reason”? That’s what my parents have told me to do.
Currently, I’m thinking of stating I had a medical issue but I believe my bounce back is pretty good considering the GPA jump from 3.6 to 5.17, etc. etc. etc.

But what do you guys recommend? Describe mental health issues or just skate over it?
Also, would it be a bad idea to email admissions counselors about this? I’m thinking of emailing reps from places high on my list to say something like, hey, I’m interested but worry that this will disadvantage me–or is it just a better idea to not contact at all?
Finally, am I being realistic with my college choices? On my list, Emory, BU, Barnard, and Bucknell are my most selective schools, and Ithaca, Emerson, Pitt, Syracuse, GW, UMiami, and Fordham are there as well. I feel that I’m a pretty competitive applicant other than this blip, but are there any I just shouldn’t bother with?

Thanks so much, you guys!

2

In the ‘additional information’ box, indicate that you were hospitalized for a month sophomore year due to medical complications and that your illness complicated your learning, hence, your grades. Don’t detail. DO NOT discuss mental health with admissions.

Run the Net price calculator on all these colleges.

What’s in-state for you?

Perhaps add UIowa as a safety. American if you can afford it (NPC). Knox, Eckerd could be good safeties. Urban universities to consider: Macalester. Excellent writing program: Denison. (Kenyon as a big reach)

3

Either you or your guidance counselor should mention that you were ill your sophomore year and missed a month. You don’t need to get into details regarding what went wrong. People do get ill, and universities know this. Your guidance counselor should have seen this before (depression is very common among US high school students) and should know what to say.

The fact that your down year was your sophomore year means that you had time to put in a strong Junior year. This allows universities to see what you were able to recovery very well from your illness. This should help you significantly.

I also agree with @MYOS1634 that you should run the NPCs unless you are fine with being full pay.

I am not sure what the policies are for the schools that you are applying to. However, you should be aware that some schools might ask for your mid-term senior year grades. Some schools will do this, some will not. Regardless, you should plan to do your best senior year.

4

In-state schools for me are Penn State and Pitt.
I’m extremely fortunate to not have to worry about financial aid; my family is lucky to be able to afford full pay.

Thank you guys for your help!!!

5

Glad you are doing so much better. That is by far the most important thing.

Ideally it would be best if your guidance counselor could include some wording in his/her letter or recommendation along the lines of what @MYOS1634 has in post#1. That way the information would come from an independent third party. If that won’t work then you should write a brief sentence or two in the additional information section. Agree with not mentioning mental health issues which are (unfortunately) often a red flag for admissions officers.

I’d also recommend that if you have the applications ready in time that you take advantage of the schools that offer rolling or non-binding EA options. If you can get an acceptance or two by December it takes a great deal of pressure off the whole process.

6

Your GC can address your health issues (I agree, be generic) and that you are in successful treatment for them.