Hello everyone!
In the additional information section of the common app, I decided to explain some of the reasons for my seemingly below average grades in freshman year. At my school, there are grading boundaries (uncurved) according to which a grade is assigned. During freshman year, for both Math and English, the grading boundaries were very strict and you had to achieve a very high raw mark to receive an A. I, along with almost everybody else, did not manage to achieve an A in either semester because of this. However, for the same math course in sophomore year, due to the “poor” grades of the students in freshman year, both departments decided to lower the boundaries, allowing me, along with other students, to achieve an A. My school did not change the grades for freshman year despite this boundary change. So, in other words, students who are in freshman year now may well have the same raw marks as me, but will have a grade one higher.
This I think, indicates a slight inconsistency on my transcript. I know that colleges do not like students making excuses, but I do think that this is something worth explaining.
If anyone can tell me if I should or should not include this in the additional info section, I would be very grateful.
Thank you!