Chances for PSU-special circumstances?

<p>I'm a current senior with a terrible GPA. I am starting my PSU application. When I printed out the sheet to be filled out by my guidance counselor it mentioned at the bottom to attach a note if there were special circumstances that prevent the applicant from performing their best academically. I plan on asking my guidance counselor to attach a letter talking about my circumstances. I also plan to talk about it in my personal statement. The long story short is that I ended up getting sick around sophomore year, by junior year I was in the hospital for about 3 months. I was not able to work on school work while I was there. When I got back to school I was not eligible for home instruction hours. I also was not fully able to recover until the summer. Because of this my grades suffered tremendously. </p>

<p>On my application I put UP as my first choice campus, Altoona as my second. I selected the summer session as well as applied undecided. I know all those things help you get in, however as stated my GPA is bad. My question is with my counselors letter and my personal statement will I have any chance for UP? I know with my GPA UP would be a definite no but I'm wondering if Penn State will take into consideration my circumstances. Any one have any idea how this may play out?</p>

<p>If I get rejected from main campus would there be any way for them to reconsider? </p>

<p>And btw my SATS were average 1800.</p>

<p>The only way to find out is to have those letters written, and see what happens. Undecided and summer session and applying as early as you can will all help. You want to tell them about your circumstances without whining or blaming, btw.</p>