Explaining family hardship during senior year to college…? Please read and help!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Duke University
1

<p>At the beginning of my senior year, my father became very ill and by mid November, he was in the hospital and diagnosed with Tuberculosis. As a family, we tried to keep him as positive as he could be about his health. We took turns going to the hospital to stay with him so that he wouldn’t be alone there. Because of his condition, he is also unable to work, which completely cuts us off from the income he brought home (he’s self-employed). My mom has a job which doesn’t pay much, so we’re surviving on that right now. We’re also getting financial aid from the county for food and other expenses. Because of such circumstances, my grades in school are quite low, low as in a C which will not change now and a D that I hope to pull up to a C on an up coming test. Both of these grades are in AP classes. The rest are As. </p>

<p>So my question is: Is there anyway I can let colleges know about this hardship on my family and I that would explain those ugly grades in school? I was thinking about talking to my counselor and seeing if she could send something on my behalf with maybe the Midterm Report. I just want to know if there is something I can do about this, because I know that with my Transcript right now, I’m going to look like I have senioritis, but in reality I am really stressed out and maybe even depressed. :( </p>

<p>Please share what you suggest me doing. </p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

2

<p>I’m sorry, that really sucks. I would suggest you explain what happened in the “Additional Information” portion of the Common App, but I’m assuming you already submitted your app as the deadline was Jan. 3. Another alternative is emailing or snail mailing the admissions office a document with the above explanation that includes your applicant ID and full legal name. The processing staff will add it to your file to be considered along with the rest of your materials. If you go that route, make sure to follow up in a week or so to ensure they received it and added it to your file (if you email it, the processing staff will typically email you back to confirm they received it).
Good luck with the rest of senior year!</p>

3

<p>swimstar is right.</p>

<p>this is a totally understandable situation, i would def talk to your guidance counselor, but would also write them yourself.</p>

<p>good luck, i hope life gets easier for you and your family soon.</p>

4

<p>Alrighty, thanks for your suggestions. I’ll talk to my guidance counselor about this tomorrow and see what she says. I really hope this doesn’t hurt my application in any way.</p>