<p>On the college application, it says:"If your academic record, as measured by your grades, course selections, and test scores, is not an accurate reflection of your abilities, then we invite you to attach a self-appraisal that tells us why. We are especially interested in knowing whether there were personal or family circumstances that negatively affected your academic performance. The Admissions Committee expects that you will take advantage of this question to explain any grade on your transcript that is unusually low or varies significantly from your usual performance."</p>
<p>Can I just say:"I got a 65 on English in the second semester of my Junior year, because I am a recent immigrant and English is not my native language, I didn't adapt to the new class well when I transferred from ESL to regular class(which level is much higher), but I am doing much better in this semester."</p>
<p>This is the real reason, but does it look like an excuse?</p>
<p>How are you doing in English now? </p>
<p>"As a recent immigrant, I was required to take ESL classes for my first semester. I developed skills that enabled my placement into a higher English class. I received a grade of 65 that reflects my transition. As of today, I am continuing to develop my English." </p>
<p>Hmm I think it is fine, as long as you are indeed in doing swell at this point and will be able to provide midyear grades to some of the institutions you're applying to.</p>
<p>I believe a more proper response that they're looking for is if your grades suffered due to a death, illness, or disaster type event. </p>
<p>I, personally don't find that to be a valid reason, but if you feel strongly about it, then including it couldn't hurt necessarily</p>
<p>I didn't adapt to the new class well when I transferred from ESL to regular class- not a great way to word it</p>
<p>this might be better:
The transiition from ESL to the much higher level English 101 (or whatever) was difficult initailly. I was in ESL for one semester (or whatever), and moved quiclkly into English 101. As you can see, however, my grade has improved dramtically, and I am now in English 202</p>
<p>You want to phrase it showing how it was a quick transistion, a difficult one, but you worked at it and know are doing well. Draw attention to the diffiuclty of the class, and that you were ready to take the challenge.</p>
<p>I think an explanation is fine. It won't hurt, you aren't making excuses, just explaining. The boxes are there to be used. And, immigrating is a big deal. I moved over a dozen times growing up, all over the world. </p>
<p>You explain your D, it can't really hurt you, as the D is there already.</p>
<p>Thank you guys</p>
<p>I appreciate your help!</p>
<p>Definitely include an explanatory note. Your reason sounds fine. Make sure that you make it clear that you have been able to overcome it.</p>
<p>is death/serious illness in the family a significant bonus in the admissiosn process? My mom just died after a 3.5 year battle with cancer which spanned essentially my entire high school career, and my essays and such discussed this in depth. Obviously it's not an end all, but would it be a significant "hook" or anything in the admissions process, specifically in the Emory Scholars contest, as that's the only school that I havn't been accepted to already, but would not attend without significant scholarship money.</p>
<p>Really just sounds like you want to capitalize on your mother's death.</p>
<p>...ok except that wasn't my question at all. I don't need you to judge me.</p>
<p>
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Really just sounds like you want to capitalize on your mother's death.
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I doubt if you are in any position to judge the feelings of someone who has had a mother die after a long, painful illness.</p>
<p>gatordan: There is apparently a genre of essays concerning traumatic events and death. I don't know. It might be better to concentrate on your goals in life instead.</p>
<p>take the TOEFL if you can to prove yourself.</p>
<p>well TOEFL i guess is a good option except for it's a little late. Even the SAT is over and TOEFL scores takes at least a month to process for CBT. i think the time it takes now is longer b/c it's IBT. I think ur essay will prove ur english skills. hey i know ur pain. i came from korea last year and oh man the humiliation of taking english 9 in 11th grade and it was hard for me to approach my english teacher b/c she was so strict. i totally understand the difficulties. i took ESL junior year too and i wrote about taking ESL and taking AP classes and how that affected me.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I didn't adapt to the new class well when I transferred from ESL to regular class (WHOSE level is much higher)
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That is all.</p>