Failed a class Summer before Senior because of family problems?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey, everyone! Ok, so the details of my grades aren't very important, but what happened was that I was rank 5 out of 130 with a pretty good gpa, ECs, standardized tests, and sports. In my opinion my chances for a pretty good college were not that bad. However, I took government and econ in the summer, but after signing up, we found out that my mom had cancer. She was going into surgery a few days after I left for the Germany trip (study abroad thing) to go study government. I failed the course because of the stress and anxiety (I think I got like 52.) After the trip it turned out that she was fine and recovering well. Afterwords, I took econ and got the highest grade in the class :D. Is there a way to explain this to colleges on my common application, some sort of essay, or would it be explained through interviews? My gpa dropped a bit and I was actually pushed out of the top 10% :(. </p>

<p>I know that they generally look at the end of junior year grades and stuff when you first apply, but my school messed up, so it will be sending the failed class and the worse rank whenever I apply somewhere.</p>

<p>Top-tier colleges generally despise failed classes, so I'm worried. </p>

<p>My main question is whether or not colleges would understand my position at all, or will they discard me because of my rank and grades without really paying attention to these special circumstances? Are my chances of getting into a really good college considerably lower because of this family issue? Help would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>And my counselor really doesn't know what she's doing, so I'm pretty much lost. Thanks guys!</p>

2

<p>I would see if you this can be covered in multiple places. First, have a sit-down with your guidance counselor to ask/beg that it be covered in her letter (your history of phenomenal grades vs the isolated summer case). Secondly, in the Common App, there is now a text box section called “Additional Information” where you are to put anything you would like that is not already covered in the Common App. You can bullet point and essentially list several things. Here is where you should ABSOLUTELY discuss the summer class issue. Don’t make excuses; but be heartfelt.</p>

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<p>Thank you so much! :D</p>