Bad grades first semester, trying to apply to a summer program

I’m a first-year student (at a top 40) trying to apply to a summer program right now and it is asking me to send them my grades from my first semester of college. Problem is, I have a W and failed a class. They were for different reasons, but I just had a hard time adjusting at first and couldn’t change the outcome when it got better because it was too late. It’s partially medically related and partially I wasn’t being the best student. I did get help from advisers, therapy, etc later of course. I learned my lesson from that point and this semester I’m doing fairly better than last. So how can I convey that I’m a serious student and that what I did in the first semester isn’t what I will do in the program? This is just a summer program where you take courses at a different university. I know how serious I will be about the workload because the problems that made me struggle before won’t apply anymore, but that’s hard to prove. What I’m thinking of doing is give an explanation of why it turned out that way and why it won’t happen again, and attaching a transcript of college courses I took in my gap-year program before college since the grades were a lot better. I’ll try to express my enthusiasm and also give an honest explanation. I am doing really well in one class and might be able to ask my professor if it’s possible for him to write something supportive (not super sure about this one). I don’t think they are SUPER selective in this program but I think they at least want to know you’re going to be able to handle the workload. Is there anything you guys can suggest I do? I really will appreciate any help.

Go ahead and give it a shot. Send in the application with the first semester grades, and maybe include a brief note about the grandmother that raised you dying, or whatever the reason was for the W and F. They will either accept you or they won’t.

@damon30 So basically, whatever happens, happens.

Think of it as if you were a star athlete that got injured and missed games. If your story is that you took a charge from Zion Williamson that put you in the hospital, but that it caused him to foul-out, your team to advance (without you) and that the doctors and trainers all say you will completely recover, then this will all be viewed extremely positively. On the other hand if your story is that you didn’t play because you skipped practice, or had a bad attitude about training, then this will create a different impression entirely. Try to make your explanation sound more like the former than the latter, and also keep it short.

Also consider if taking courses at your local Community college would be good. Talk to your adviser to see if the credtis would be accepted at your college (also with your summer program).

How intense would the summer program be? Regular courses are spread over 15 weeks. Summer courses have the same material in 8 or 6 or 4 weeks. Would that be too much for you?

@damon30 That’s really the spirit of what happened in my first semester. I tried to express it in a very concise way.

@bopper I agree, and I’ll note to double check any course I choose before applying to it. Regarding the intensity of the course, I really don’t feel like it will be too much since I know the type of student I am and the factors that caused my poor performance will not apply anymore.