<p>Just some more on if there is an extenuating circumstance:
Some questions the ApCom asks themselves about applicants include
“What choices has the candidate made for himself? Why?
Is the candidate a late bloomer?”
They take into account the context of your application, but if you have low grades simply because of screwing around that doesn’t help your case.
<a href=“http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/tips/decisions.html[/url]”>http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/tips/decisions.html</a></p>