Bad grade due to illness?

Applying to College
1

<p>I was sick for a long time during the first marking period in a VERY quick-paced, challenging Honors Precalculus course, which has the reputation as being the most difficult math class at our school. I also came late to school numerous times due to on-and-off sickness (I have math first period) and as a result, I missed a lot of instruction time. Missing so much class combined with taking a math class that was too difficult for me, my final grade for the semester might end up being a C. My guidance counselor will be including this in her letters of recommendation next year, and I will include it in any area there is to write an explanation for bad grades.</p>

<p>My question is, how much leeway do you think colleges will give me for this one bad grade due to being sick/missing school?<br>
(My top choices are: Middlebury, Bowdoin, Claremont McKenna, Pomona, other top LACs)</p>

<p>If it helps at all, I'm dropping into the regular-level Precalculus course next semester (which is supposed to be MUCH easier) and I will hopefully earn a B or even an A for second-semester Precalc. The vast majority of my other grades will be As as well, so I do normally get good grades.</p>

2

<p>Bump–anyone?</p>

3

<p>I had a similar experience and I mentioned it in my “additional information” section, basically saying that even though I had this illness and I missed school and ECs I managed to come back stronger and blah blah blah.
I think colleges will be understanding, especially if your guidance counselor also mentioned it in the letter.</p>