<p>I had some family issues during my sophomore year (parents arguing/almost divorce/mom lost her job), so my grades really took a dive; straight As frosh yr to ~5 B's each semester as a soph. Grades went back up junior year. I've taken a really rigorous schedule throughout high school (5 AP/Honors soph yr + About 15 college level courses in high school, including AP). Should I have my counselor address this in his rec? Or would it be better to just suck it up? He volunteered to address it, but I don't want to seem too temperamental or anything.</p>
<p>I've heard that you should explain any significant drop in grades, either through your essay, an additional essay, or your guidance counselor's recommendation.</p>
<p>Yes, have your counselor at least mention in passing. B's are not horriable, and considering the stress you were under, it's a good thing in my view. I wouldn't necessarily dwell on it with essays but the counselor should definately mention that you were having family trouble, and yet "still managed to maintain a B average."</p>