<p>Hi! I'm a junior who is starting to put together a list of colleges to apply for. I am a good student, usually, but my sohpmore year was super chaotic (academically and personally):
I had moved before Freshman year, and I got on the wrong math/french track (tried to get on track soph year and took calc ab, but I had missed too much and got a c in the class. French too)
My dad had been suffering from cancer, got worse- hospitalized early in year, died in June- right before finals)
At the beginning of the year i was sick with mono for little over a month).
Other than that I have been a great student. 4.0 freshman and junior year(so far) with a 4.8 gpa, taking ap bio, french, us, and econ (I went back to precalc, taking calc ab and stat over the summer). My ec include 50 hours at a local poverty center, 25 hours at the local library. A girl scout for 12 years. Volleyball for 4 years (play club, currently team captain), basketball for 10 yrs (traveled with a team overseas), fbla vice president, founder of a charity club at school, 3 years with model un (won several awards), academic decathlon ( hope to be captain next year, team is going to nationals tomorrow), lifeguard job for 2 years. I also have finished several science projects, and I got 4 credits for an independent study project. I have an internship this summer at a local university where i plan to research a project and maybe submit it for the intel sts. My mom says that even with sophomore year, when I got a 3.14 can be "explained." Will competitive colleges still be willing to admit me? I'm not expecting an ivy league, but I really like schools like Carnegie Mellon or Duke.
P.s. over 2200 on SAT, I'm taking bio, math ii, and us subject tests this month, and I'm taking the act next month. Also taking Sat again</p>
<p>My goodness, you have been through so much, and to come back your junior year like this is amazing. What a survivor!</p>
<p>Your experiences your sophomore year won’t hurt your college chances. You have come back strong, after such grief and pain. My condolences for your father’s death. </p>
<p>I think you have an excellent essay topic here as well.</p>
<p>I agree with calla1. I’m sorry for your hardships, but congrats on pushing through it all and achieving so highly! On your application there should be an optional essay or something similar about special circumstances or challenges you’ve overcome, and this will go perfectly. After what you’ve been through, colleges would LOVE to have you. And by the way, I think you actually do have a shot at the Ivies. Don’t quote me on it, because they do turn away a lot of talented people, but I believe you have a very good chance. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Decathalete --</p>
<p>First, I’m sorry for all you have been through. I assume your Guidance Counselor knows all you have been through – if not, he or she should. A purpose of the GC recommendation letter is to bring to the college’s attention facts that may be relevant. In general, an explanation from a professional third party is likely to give more weight than from you (which is not to say that should not include them in essays or part of your application, if you wish).</p>
<p>Overall – Top schools have a holistic process – they really do. A good reason why grades are not represenative of one’s ability, especially when it had to do with extreme adversity will likely be a factor for many schools.</p>
<p>If I worked Admissions at those schools I would accept you in a heartbeat :)</p>