<p>In sophomore year I became very sick with a psychiatric disease and was gone from October-February (about 4 months total). I was hospitalized for the majority of this time. I was also unable to do any schoolwork during this time. I returned to school full time by early March and I didn't get very good grades for 2nd semester soph year because I was mainly focused on my health/getting better and actually being able to go to school. I also lost all my credits from 1st semester soph year. My 1st semester junior year GPA was still pretty low, but by spring of junior year I had really pulled myself up and had a 3.1. My GPA goes up dramatically quarter by quarter throughout junior year. Also, freshman year, before I got sick, I had a 3.6. And my ACT score is 31 (thanks to accommodations) which should really help. My question is, will this be considered as a legitimate excuse for my bad GPA? I know a lot of people use the extenuating circumstances section for b.s. things but mine is actually legit. Will explaining this give me a much better chance of getting into the schools I want to go to (UW Seattle, McGill, Marquette, Minn) or will it be mostly overlooked by adcoms? thank you! </p>
<p>I am unfamiliar with those schools – but I think that this is where a great letter from your guidance counselor can make all the difference. Let your guidance counselor speak to the effort you have made in your life and your grades, and point out the improvement. I would only say something to the effect that you were hospitalized for 4 months of your sophomore year, I wouldn’t give any details. We don’t want the college to question any risk in admitting you. And keep up your good work! Good luck.</p>