<p>that there is a section that allows one to mention a difficulty they encountered during their high school years? (ex: death, divorce, any interference?)</p>
<p>My mom said that I should not mention mine but I need to know for a friend.</p>
<p>On the Common App there is an "Additional Information" section that you can put stuff like that in.</p>
<p>If there was a personal difficulty that affected your/your friend's grades or school life at all, then it should be listed. It's also good if a guidance counselor writes a note about it, confirming what you said on your app- this way colleges will be 100% sure that what you're saying is true. (Or everyone would be saying that their grandma died).</p>
<p>brillar- thank you for the advise!!</p>
<p>I'm not entirely sure why but when I asked my mom about it yesterday she sounded very stern about the whole matter and didn't want it to be known by the college. She thinks I should be strong and resist tragic events but I don't think my current grades reflect that I have done that...</p>
<p>When do I know is the point that I should talk to my counselor about something bothering me?</p>
<p>If it's affecting your school work, then from a college standpoint it would be a good time to talk to your counselor. Even if it's not, at most schools a counselor is a good person to talk to...</p>
<p>I mean, SOME things you shouldn't report (there was a debate on another thread whether to say if you were diagnosed with schizophrenia or not- it does affect your grades, but it would probably hurt your chances too), so depending on your issue, your mother could be right. If it doesn't seem like it would hurt your chances by talking to your counselor about it and having colleges know, then you should try that out.</p>