Extenuating circumstances led to bad grades in sophomore year. Chances for Cornell?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>I've always dreamed of going to Cornell. I'm not that guy who makes a big chart of all the Ivies and decides that Cornell is his best shot at getting into the oh-so-exclusive Ivy League club. I studied the school, found the structure unique and compelling and am planning to take Film Studies at Ithaca over the summer.</p>

<p>I maintained a 3.8 GPA up till freshman year (I had four "counted" classes in 8th grade that were factored into my transcript).</p>

<p>Unfortunately, in the middle of my sophomore year my grandmother passed away. Having grown up with her for four years in another country since birth, and having her as my unofficial babysitter for another 4 years after my move to the US (my mom was very busy trying to finish college and starting her own business) I became closer to her than my own father, and the revolting Machievallian monster that is my mother.</p>

<p>I plan to work very, very hard over the next one and a half years and hope to bump up my average to a 3.75-3.8. I am especially strong writer, with an infatuation with cinema (screenplay writing is my forte). I know that the admissions officers at Cornell probably are probably showered with "sob stories" yet I feel if given the opportunity I could really properly explain the depth of my depression. I don't want to use my essay to do this, so how else could I possibly explain this sudden dip in my grade.</p>

<p>I'm enlisted for 4 AP classes in my junior year. I'm editor of the high school literary magazine, founder of a book club, winner of a Scholastic Art/Writing Award and just made the deadline to attend Columbia's Creative Writing Program over the summer. I plan to work very, very hard over the next one and a half years and hope to bump up my average to a 3.75-3.8. I am especially strong writer, with an infatuation with cinema (screenplay writing is my forte). I know that the admissions officers at Cornell probably are probably showered with "sob stories" yet I feel if given the opportunity I could really properly explain the depth of my depression. I hate making excuses but I truly feel that this is a legitimate explanation - everyone I've talked to so far simply shakes their head and tells me that nothing but the "tragic loss of both of your parents to cancer" could excuse bad grades, which ****es me off, cause some kids might shrug off the death of their grandparents like it's nothing but my grandmother was, for all intents and purposes, my mother. But how can I explain without coming off as...excus-y?</p>

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<p>I’m so sorry about your grandmother…if my grandmother died, I have no idea what I’d do - I suppose you have the same relationship with yours.</p>

<p>I think you still have a shot at Cornell - and if not (and it’s your dream school, as you say) you would have an even greater shot if you transfer in next year (if you’re rejected this time around).</p>

<p>Anyway…are you aware you repeat a large chunk of writing in your post twice?</p>

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<p>Why are you trying to convince people on a college message board that you’re a great candidate for Cornell?</p>

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<p>beats me…</p>

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<p>Explain why your relationship with your grandmother was so important as an opportunity to creatively write an essay on the commonapp for Cornell to read. I think that will have more of a positive influence on the admission officers rather than simply stating why your grades went down. </p>

<p>And you got ignore what others think … to put blank: let them go f-themselves.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I just realized that I repeated a large chunk of text…gah.</p>

<p>My biggest question is how I can ensure the validity of the event. A senior in our school just got caught for lying that his ‘D’ was due to the death of his mother from breast cancer. As horrific as that is, I’m willing to bet several students try to excuse a poor semester on fabricated ‘extenuating circumstances’ (<em>vomit</em>)</p>

<p>Can my guidance counseler sort this out or what? And if I’m planning on writing my essay on something else, can I attach a supplementary statement? I know there’s a section on the common application for discrepencies in grades, but can I do anything further?</p>

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<p>Your GC could mention the discrepancy in his/her recommendation.</p>

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<p>Apply ED. Anybody who shows a commitment to studying things like theater arts, medieval studies, or linguistics gets an automatic boost from the adcoms. They know the last think Cornell needs is more pre-meds or econ majors.</p>

<p>Coincidentally, Cornell and Ithaca are absolutely inspiring places for writers. You picked a good school.</p>