<p>I have a 4.0 weighted GPA 3.4 unweighted GPA, 2300 SAT. 760 on math and 780 on Bio SAT I did badly last year and got two C+s. But this year I have all A's in all classes. I have always been a good student until junior year because i got sick. But I have volunteered at the hospital, do piano, do tutoring for NHS, opened a club at my school and am the co-president for another club. I am applying early decision for CMU in December and I am doing an interview next month at the school to show interest. I have taken many APs - AP Bio, AP Calc BC, AP US History, AP Chemistry, AP French, AP Lit, AP Gov, and AP Stats. Last year I did four and this year I am doing three. I have done many post-AP's as well such as DNA Science 1 and 2 ( only my school offers these) and I got A's in both. I have very good teacher recs. I'm doing interviews and am really good at speaking. I did one and was good at it. I am doing three APs this year and have almost all A's this year. Another thing I go to one of the top magnet schools in the nation as ranked by US News. Please tell me how much of a chance I have at:</p>
<p>William and Mary
Johns Hopkins
Swarthmore
Carnegie Mellon (MCS)
Emory
Rice
GW accelerated medical program</p>
<p>The main reason I did so crappy last year was that my parents suffered economic losses with their business. I had to help them with doing things every evening in the business and it was just hard for us in general b/c our expenses for everything were cut dramatically even food.</p>
<p>Ahhh, economical issues! My family had those for me in my freshmen year, but I still was about to maintain a 3.92 gpa. (rest being 4.00 gpa.) I wrote about how those issues helped me become a much better person, etc, making sure it isn’t seen as a sob or pity story. Well see how the admissions people like it.</p>
<p>Good luck, I can relate with you.</p>
<p>If there is a spot in your application to describe hardships you have had to overcome, describe them, with passion. Make sure to focus on how it made you stronger- don’t just look for pity. If there isn’t a place for such information, work it in to your essay. If you can explain your 3.4, it could help you out a lot.</p>
<p>For example, Commonapp has an “Additional Information” section, where you can include “any additional information that you would like to provide regarding special circumstances, additional qualifications, etc.”</p>
<p>If there is a deviation in GPA, colleges usually look to see if there was an understandable cause-mono is often used when admissions officers discuss this-and if you attach a note to your application and/or your guidance counselor mentions it in your recommendation I don’t believe there would be a problem. It shows strength of character that you would be able to help your parents like that while maintaining the grades that you did your junior year. </p>
<p>It also helps that you have excellent ECs, test scores, and course load, you are obviously a hardworking student. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>