Good or bad move???

Applying to College
1

Okay so I have very few honors classes, and in the second semester of 10th grade my average GPA went from 92 to 83 due to a personal issue. Should I add this in the “Additional Information” section of my common application? Or does it look bad?

Explaining Circumstances

As for the lack of honors classes, it was not my lack of desire to be challenged but rather a difficulty of being moved up. When I joined the school, I was automatically put in all the lowest classes. I constantly asked to be moved up, but the school does not allow students to skip tracks. So, I was restricted to being moved up a single track a year, having to prove myself for each transfer. Because of this, I was not able to reach the first honors track until 11th grade, but even then the only honors course that wasn’t full was Chemistry. I sincerely hope this does not come off as me blaming York Preparatory. I had an amazing experience overall, it was just their track system that I found unfavorable.

I also want to apologize for the grade slip-up I had in the second semester of 10th grade. There were unacademic circumstances that affected my drive and consequently my performance. I want to make it clear that I take full responsibility, it is my fault for not picking myself back up. I am only writing this to say that this semester does not represent the type of student, nor the type of person I am. I will never let that happen to myself again.

2

Bad move, at least as written.

What matters is what you did for all of your junior year, and what your senior year schedule looks like, colleges will see that as part of your app. If that’s strong they see growth and you don’t need to explain or make excuses or apologize for what happened prior to that. The additional info section can be used to explain special circumstances most typically medical, it really shouldn’t be used for what you are proposing.

3

The GC can explain how you were unable to get into a more difficult track. Your poor performance makes that just noise. I would not recommend touching either excuse.

4

Very bad move. Agree that any scheduling issues which resulted from coming into the school late should be addressed in the guidance counselor recommendation and you should talk to your counselor about doing do. If there was a major issue in 10th grade (ex. health, family) your guidance counselor can address that as well. It sounds like you are trying to make excuses if it comes from you.

5

Thank you so much for your kind and helpful responses!