Help! How do I explain the grade drop?

<p>I am finally done with applying to schools and I need to explain my my junior year grades as well as my first semester senior year grades. Junior year my grades were erratic most of them ended up in the B range with a few A's. I ended up with a C+ in math and a D in chemistry. My sophomore year I had A's high and low, and a few mid-high B's. One of the reasons my grades dropped so much junior year was due to the fact that my parents got divorced. Yes, I know this happens to many and they find ways to deal with it, but my parent's divorce was a very tramautic one. Basically my grades dropped because of it and I became very depressed. My first semester senior year, I did terribly. My grades were the following: French - A, Mythology - A, English - B, Math - F, Government - C, Latin - C Religion - B, AP Euro - C. My first semester and including at the moment I have been really depressed although I have been able to hide it from school as well as my family. Anyway, I applied to some selective colleges because I have excellent recommendations as well as SAT's. I need to write a letter explaining these grades but I don't know what to write. One of them is for my dream school, which I may play a varsity sport at and had a wonderful interview at. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.</p>

<p>I would suggest getting into contact with your guidance counselor if not the school psychologist. I have a feeling that it might hurt you considering that neither one knew of your depression due to the divorce--and therefore, didn't mention. Definitely talk to your guidance counselor. Maybe they can resubmit the letter with the midyear report to include how your parents divorce affected you!</p>

<p>Thanks, i will go talk to my guidance counselor tommorow.</p>

<p>Yes, absolutely talk to your guidance counselor. I'm sorry about your parent's divorce. Is there a reason it is still depressing you so much now? Or are you depresssed about something else? </p>

<p>I know divorce is hard, but, believe it or not, it's better for a mother & father to live apart and try to be on good terms for the kids, rather than having a terrible, abusive, dysfunctional family. Divorce is awful for everyone--no matter how you slice it. But sometimes people have to do it to survive themselves.</p>

<p>Another question. Why are you hiding your depression? If you are depressed, you need to get help to deal with it. You should talk to soemone you trust whether it's your parents or a guidance counselor. But talk to someone experienced & older--someone who can help you. You especially want to get things cleared up before you go to college next year. College can be a new start. It's in your best interests to be as healthy as you can be.</p>

<p>Thank to guidance counselor. If this is the Ivies, I doubt the excuse will be sufficient. But if it is 2nd to 3rd tier, it "might" be fine. Hard to explain such a drastic grade drop in reality.</p>