<p>Like, a unique and hard home situation.</p>
<p>If it sounds like a sob story meant to make people take pity on you for having such a tough life, no. If you explain it in a way that tells how it’s shaped you and made you who you are today, it doesn’t excuse it, it just provides insight into your character. Overall, there is no excuse for a low GPA, just reasons that you may or may not have had control over. IMO, schools are more forgiving to the latter.</p>