Extenuating Circumstances

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey i was wondering if I am totally screwed of getting into the Human Ecology School at Cornell University. My senior year grades are abysmal. They are</p>

<p>AP CALC AB: 85
AP FRENCH:96
AP PHYSICS:80
AP GOV:76
AP ENGLISH:90
Research Projects 2H: 95</p>

<p>However, the reason for these grades is because my father recently had kidney failure and is now currently on dialysis. I have been taking care of him by taking him to his dialiysis appointments (thrice a week), and his health overall. I am deeply worried that my chances at this school are ruined because of this. Do you think they will understand? I have had an upward trend and now I feel totally ruined as a result of this. Any input?</p>

2

<p>bump!!!!! Please I am desperate for advice. Thanks</p>

3

<p>I am sorry to hear about your father's health problems. I suggest that you have your GC send Cornell a letter about the additional responsibilities that you have taken on.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, since most people here are just students and parents, not Cornell adcoms, there really isn't anyone qualified to give you accurate answers about chances at Cornell. However, I wish you the best.</p>

4

<p>thank you nsm for your post. Do you think cornell will understand? See I have only received a C in freshman yr due to another mitigating circumstance (move). Im just worried that they wont believe me and this will hurt</p>

<p>BUMP</p>

5

<p>What are your junior grades? Your SATs? Your GPA before your senior year? If these are strong, and both you and your GC write a letter to the Cornell adcoms explaining the situation, you probably have a chance. And by the way, your senior grades are not horrendous. Looks like an 87 average to me, which is respectable, especially considering your circumstance.</p>

6

<p>If your GC writes the letter, Cornell should believe them.</p>

7

<p>Honestly I think people make so many excuses. So WHAT that you had to take your father to do dialysis, so WHAT if you are deaf. Honestly I think all of you that make "extenuating circumstances" are just a bunch of people looking for an excuse for your sorry grades. I know someone who was diagnosed with cancer his freshmen year in high school. Hes puking his heart out, going to the hospital 5 times a week, and yet still maintains an awesome GPA. I've had surgery at least 8 differnet times throughout high school, and you know what. My bad grades are MY problem. DEAL WITH IT</p>

8

<p>You should be ashamed that you are using your dad as an excuse to get into college</p>

9

<p>baklava,
Perhaps you are the one who should be ashamed for being so lacking in compassion. In checking your back posts, you have a string of mean spirited posts. That, to me, is something to feel shame about.</p>

10

<p>you know, baklava, after i read iwannatopcollege's post, i was tempted to tell him something similar: "we all have problems" or something of that sort. but now, reading your post, i realize how absolutely revolting that statement is. this kid's grades have taken a noticeable dip, and there's no reason to believe that it's for any reason than the physical and emotional stress from his father's illness. if that's not the reason, baklava, please tell me why iwannatopcollege's grades have taken a hit.</p>

11

<p>Baklava,
I should be ashamed right? I should be ashamed of having to go through weeks of physical and emotional suffering due to an ailment that was beyond MY control. I should be ashamed of hearing my fathers screams of pain the night before a major exam. Taking the challenge of a 6 AP senior yr when I had the option to just give up. Reevaluate what you have just said and realize that not everyone can maintain their grades in these situations. Colleges want PEOPLE who will not let an obstacle deter them from their dreams. </p>

<p>To the others : My junior year grades were alright- 4 A's, 2 B's. My overall gpa from 9-11 is a 92 uw and 94 w. Do you think I should just give up hope. My extracurriculars are decent (see other post). Thank you.</p>

12

<p>Dear Iwannatopcollege,
Please simply ignore mean spirited comments from ignorant and cruel posters.</p>

<p>As a Harvard alum interviewer who also has served on national scholarship committees, I have an informed view of how adcoms would view a situation like yours.</p>

<p>You have done a good job of rising above a difficult challenge. Your grade drop under such circumstances will not shut you out of top colleges. Of course, since the competition for such spaces is fierce, I can not guarantee that you'll definitely be admitted, but you still have a chance.</p>

<p>My advice is to not seek further reassurrance here as most posters are giving uninformed opinions since members of the Cornell admissions committee are not likely to be responding to this post. Do make sure that you have solid safety schools. The Cornell school that you are applying to is difficult for anyone to be admitted to, so have some good back-ups that you'd happily attend if Cornell doesn't come through.</p>

<p>Make sure that those schools include ones that you definitely afford because it's likely that your father's health problems are hurting your family's finances.</p>

<p>Best of luck to you and your family.</p>

13

<p>Actually If you look through my list of "mean spirited posts", You would see that I give credit where credit is due. Do you think hearing your father go through agonizing pain is bad? Imagine going through it YOURSELF. Only reason I take this stance is because I know kids, who have got it a LOT worse than you. Their parents die on them, their siblings die on them, they even have a life threatening illness and yet they still can pull up their grades? It seems to me you are just looking for an excuse where an excuse can be made. You might think i'm blunt but you are taking my comment the wrong way. I sympathize that your father is in pain, I have been in pain, and I know what it is like. But WHY should he be used as an excuse, he should be used as motivation. TO make him proud, not to be used as a reason to get into college.</p>

14

<p>baklava,
You still show a heartbreaking lack of empathy. Certainly it's hard to be in pain oneself: It also is hard to hear a loved one who is in pain. Depending on one's personality, it may be more difficult to hear the moans of a loved one who is in pain than to endure the pain oneself.</p>

<p>I am curious: What kind of challenges have you faced? You seem to expect a lot of others, but have you experienced a life threatening illness, a disability or have you experienced having a loved one with a life threatening illness?</p>

<p>When I taught college, I had a couple of students who managed to get "A" grades despite having parents who were dying. I did know, however, that what those students achieved was remarkable. Most people don't have that kind of ability to rise above challenges. It's unrealistic and unkind to hold most people to those kind of standards.</p>

15

<p>I was diagnosed with heart murmur my freshmen year. I've had 4 broken bones playing football. I've also had surgery on a "private area" after a football game where "something" was torn "open" (can't get worse than that). I also have sclerosis causing me back pains. Trust me, what i had to go through was nothing compared to others that I have known what they had to go through. I knew a girl whose mom died her freshmen year, she loved her dad so much. Her senior year, after she turned 18, her dad took his own life after he realized she could be on her own. She still managed to pull through and got accepted into UC-Berk</p>

16

<p>wow, what a jerk. looks some computer geek that needs to boost his self esteem.</p>

17

<p>I agree with some of what baklava says, but he has misapplied his statements.</p>

<p>It's true that some people exploit tragedy for gain in the college admit process. It is NOT true that the original poster is doing this.</p>

<p>@ dgo123: ad hom attacks don't contribute anything to debate.</p>

18

<p>I am not trying to exploit my situation in any way, shape, or form. I did not want to tell my guidance counselor until my grades were actually slipping. I didnt just let everything slide because of his condition. </p>

<p>I have also had health problems like you baklava. I was diagnosed with diabetes in junior yr and still managed a 94 gpa in all honors and aps. Furthermore, my friend also passed away last yr. Did that resort in the slippage of my grades? It might have, but I was able to survive. Additionally, this situation caused a greater deal of stress. I have to take my father to his dialysis appointments and hold him when he is weak. I make sure he is following his renal diet, and is emotionally happy. </p>

<p>I asked for an honest opinion regarding how admissions officers would view my situation. I didnt ask for rude and acrimonious criticism. I want to get in because of merit, ecs, and essays. However, I felt it was necessary to mention this because this, IN FACT, caused my grade slippage. Here are my other stats. </p>

<p>Recs: both are very strong and show my true colors. One is a Cornell alum and the other is a Queens College Alum</p>

<p>ECS: varsity letters XC- 10-12, Track- 10-12
junior varsity football- 9,10
Vice President and treasurer of Key Club
Active Member in School Community Service Club
National Honor Society - 11,12
Am currently doing research on pediatric diabetes at local hospital ( I am a diabetic)
Events Started:
Beaded necklaces- My mother and I make beaded necklaces, bracelets, and earrings to raise money for the Hurricane Katrina victims and medical research in diabetes, cancer, etc. It has turned out very profitable for the Key Club and has become one of the major sources of revenue for that club.
“Students Who Love”- I organized and ran this event in which toys, games, and other products were collected for the Cornell Presbyterian hospital in New York. It was a month long event and the entire school participated. In total, over 150 toys and products have been collected and will be delivered to the Institute before Christmas.</p>

<p>300 volunteer hours at local hospital; recieved Outstanding volunteer award
Took 2 laboratory courses in Cold Spring Harbor laboratories.</p>

<p>Awards: Who’s Who American America’s High School Students
National Honor Roll
National Society of High School Scholars</p>

<p>Research: did research at local university but was forced to leave after mentor used radiation
started and continueing new research project on diabetes( started after being diagnosed in 11th grade)</p>

<p>Thank you.</p>

19

<p>"I was diagnosed with heart murmur my freshmen year. I've had 4 broken bones playing football. I've also had surgery on a "private area" after a football game where "something" was torn "open" (can't get worse than that). I also have sclerosis causing me back pains."</p>

<p>Baklava,
While what you went through was unfortunate and painful, I don't think that your medical problems are in the same category as having to help care for a parent who is seriously ill with a possibly fatal disease (which is true of anyone on dialysis. While dialysis can prolong life, it also can damage one's organs and causes many people on it to be extremely depressed. The expense, time and transportation difficulties also are very disruptive to family life.)</p>

<p>What I find particularly sad about your condition is that for some people having challenges opens their hearts to feel compassion for others. In your case, having challenges appears to have closed your heart. </p>

<p>BTW, a heart murmur is no big deal. I have one as do many people whom I know. A heart murmur does not compare to kidney failure.</p>

20

<p>i was talking about baklava. and for iwannagotocollege, im sure you'll be fine, im sure they'll have some sympathy unlike some lowlife losers.</p>