<p>My GPA has suffered b/c of family issues. I'm just wondering whether or not MIT will take that into consideration?</p>
<p>There's a section on the application which says
[quote]
No admission application can meet the needs of every individual. If you think that additional information or material will give us a more thorough impression of you, please respond on separate sheets.
[/quote]
If you write about your family issues in that section, they'll consider it.</p>