I have a 2.7 GPA and a 1270/1600 SAT score (750 Reading & Writing/520 Math), took AP English junior year + got a 4 on the exam, and took AP U.S. History sophomore and junior year + only scored a 3. I was just wondering if colleges (specifically Emerson College, as that’s my top choice) take personal hardships into account? I spent eight years of my childhood in foster care, and my life has always been very turbulent. A few specific things happened with my family during the time I was in high school that I believe affected my GPA greatly. During my sophomore year, I was living with my dad until he was arrested for domestic abuse + drug possession charges, and I was sent back to live with my 27-year-old older brother and legal guardian. At the end of that year, I attempted suicide after dealing with mental health problems for awhile, and didn’t end up finishing sophomore year, although I was given credit. My GPA dropped around this time. Fast-forward to my junior year: my dad, who had been released, was arrested again for the same reasons. Although this time, he beat both his girlfriend and her kids. Around the same time, my mother (my parents have been separated since I was four, and were never married) went missing for weeks. She has a history of mental illness and drug abuse, but this was uncommon. She was eventually found, and placed in an emergency mental rehabilitation program. Both of these events happened at once, and it coincided with a significant dip in my GPA. I’m now in my senior year, and last month my older brother (not the legal guardian) was arrested on rape, aggravated assault, and burglary charges. He was my best friend, and the news was heartbreaking. However, I managed to pull 5 As and 2 Bs on my report card during that time. I included a summary of these events on my Common App, but do you think they’ll actually take this into account, or just skim past once they see my GPA? (SORRY FOR THE LONG POST!!)
Well, there’s no way to know for sure, but I suspect some schools will take it into account to some extent, especially if your counselor wrote about it your your app essays include some of your background. Quite a story, and I really hope it all works out and the rest of your life is free from this sort of drama and pain. Best of luck to you, @rose514