CommonApp -Additional Info- Is this effective? (it's short/no need to proofread)

Applying to College Common and Coalition Application
1

<p>I've lived in France from age 7 to 16, and my cumulative GPA is low due to my 9th and 10th grade in France (2.91 weighted...classes in France are very difficult).
If you look at my Junior year in the USA though, I have a weighted 4.1 GPA and my senior year has been the same so far.
SAT: 1900
SAT II Literature: 640 French: 800</p>

<p>I decided to write about it in the "Additional Info" section of the CommonApp, even though my Counselor Statement also talks about the lower GPA and my circumstances. So here it is:</p>

<p>Details of circumstances and qualifications not particularly reflected in my application would be those of my education in France and my cumulative GPA. I lived in France from age 7 to age 16 and prior to that had been in a French school in San Diego, California. French education is very rigorous and entirely different than American Education. My courses were extremely difficult, and while I did well throughout several years, others were more difficult. My 9th and 10th grades are therefore not as impressive or reflective of my intellectual abilities as my junior and senior years in the USA have been thus far. With a weighted GPA of 4.1 in my junior year, I've proven to myself just how capable I am of rising to the challenge of being immersed in an entirely new educational system of which I had no prior knowledge or experience. I worked hard, involving myself in challenging AP and Honors courses as well as immersing myself in Clubs, Extra-curricular activities and job opportunities. I knew all these things would benefit me and my experience living in America. My point here is simply to put forth the accomplishments and efforts I made during the last year and a half in the USA. When I decided to move from France to America I had no idea what the outcome of that decision would be. I'm proud to see that I've been able to accomplish so much, even if my cumulative GPA isn't as competitive as it could be. When I look at my junior year, I know how hard I worked and still am working to give myself the best chances for the future. I plan to continue the hard work and effort. I hope you will consider this when reviewing my overall educational background. Thank you.</p>

2

<p>ehhh…just seems like an extra essay trying to explain something that doesn’t necessarily need explanation. You’re going to need to send your transcript from the French high school, so colleges will understand what is causing the low GPA. Colleges also get a lot of international applicants and they understand that the education system in Europe is different. </p>

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<p>^^seems very braggadocios, no?</p>

<p>I think it’s more impressive if you leave the essay out, and let your accomplishments speak for themselves. </p>

<p>Just my opinion…</p>

3

<p>Well i’m not applying as an international applicant, and the transcripts being sent are from my USA school who translated the classes I took in France, to classes that match those that they offer.</p>

4

<p>Any other opinion? Is this essay useless? I just felt like it touched base on stuff that might not be clear in my application, and I was advised to write in this section to help my admissions chances.</p>

5

<p>If you feel as if your counselor hasn’t explained your situation fully, then I’d recommend an abridged version of this. However, there’s really no need to be redundant. Universities like to see a student who can be concise in both writing and information.</p>