Did horrible in 9th grade, should I send a letter to colleges explaining myself?

Applying to College
1

<p>As a rising senior, I am starting to buckle down with my college applications. The thing that concerns me is that I am not too sure what my 9th grade grades are going to do to my GPA. I failed two classes and didn't do much better than an A in any other classes. It was so bad that the school asked me to leave, since it was an academic high school. My guidance counselor says I should write a letter about what I've learned from the experience of failing two classes and being asked to leave a very prestigious high school. My mom says I shouldn't even mention it or even draw attention to it. If I were to write a letter, I would explain that I took for granted the seriousness and the importance 9th grade had on me, and I felt like I was invincible until they finally got me. While showing the serious part of the situation I would try and make light of it and show that I have moved on from a once very dark point in my life. The only 'excuse' I have for my horrible grades is that I felt misguided and alone and miserable and completely overwhelmed. My aunt was sick with cancer at the time and it did have an adverse effect on me but I just want to own my mistake and keep it moving. </p>

<p>What should I do? How should the tone of the letter be if I do send one? How would I include that on my application? Would this affect my chances for certain colleges?</p>

<p>My Stats:</p>

<pre><code>Schools:
</code></pre>

<ul>
<li>Northeastern University</li>
<li>Northwestern University</li>
<li>Emerson College</li>
<li>American University</li>
<li>Syracuse University</li>
<li>Ithaca College</li>
<li>NYU</li>
<li>USC</li>
<li>Wesleyan University</li>
<li>Montclair State University </li>
</ul>

<p>TOP CHOICE: Northeastern (will probably apply EA) and Emerson
INTENDED MAJOR: Communications and/or Film</p>

<p>• Grade: Rising Senior
• Unweighted GPA: 93.1 or 3.86 on a 4.0 scale
• Weighted GPA: 4.06
• Rank: 14/105
• High school: 1st high school was nationally recognized, and top 50 in the US. Second is very small and only accredited by the Middle States
• SAT: 1640 but very little prep. Taking an SAT class now and will take the SAT in October. Assume a 1900+
- Course load: Rigorous freshman year, too easy sophomore year, intermediate rigor junior year, and rigorous senior ye</p>

2

<p>Don’t worry about it. Many people screw up freshman year. It’s a transition period; colleges are fairly lenient for 9th grade. And you overall GPA is pretty good at 3.86, so I wouldn’t worry about it.</p>

3

<p>Your SAT will hurt you at a lot of those places. Do not assume you will jump 300 points, thats a fairly large leap.</p>

4

<p>^ Agree with @Nihilius. Additionally, some colleges do not look at freshman year grades, but I don’t know if any on your list do not. If you are really that worried about it, talk about it in your personal statement.</p>

5

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<p>I generally recommend that explanations about grades be made only for reasons that are beyond the applicant’s control (eg. health or family issues). Since this isn’t the case, you should rely on your subsequent grades to demonstrate how you’ve changed. </p>

<p>A vote for your mom.</p>

6

<p>My sons told me his high school doesn’t even report 9th grade scores, only 10th and above. I found it weird though. </p>

<p>Definitely work on your SAT to improve by 400+ points.</p>