<p>I am applying for a boarding School in Pennsylvania. They are asking for my previous past years grades, 7th & 8th grade. In 7th grade, I had a hard time, the two people who i loved died and it was just a rough year. My grades sucked, I couldn't function correctly, I had two heavy burdens on my mind. I cleaned my act up in the last marking period of 7th grade by getting all A's and B's. I now have learned how to deal with things and still get my work done. I don't want them to think that I am not smart and can't do my work, but it was just hard for me that year. In 8th grade, I got good grades. I'm now going to 9th grade in September of 2009. I am applying for the school for tenth grade. Do You think they would accept me? I do extra curricular activities. Somebody please give me good advice please.</p>
<p>First (and foremost) I can’t imagine (or understand) an iota of what you must have gone through. I’m glad you were able to pull your self up, it shows a lot of character</p>
<p>I am not patronizing you or ********ting you (that’s not something I usually do, I am actually pretty hard at “chancing”).</p>
<p>Regardless, I think if you do well holistically you will be a GREAT admit. I feel sick saying it (I really do, however it is the truth) how your loss (more importantly how you overcame it) is a real show of character. </p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck. I can’t even imagine one loved one dying (one of my friends went through this earlier this summer) but it is beyond the epochs of my (hollow I guess?) mind how you went through two.</p>
<p>@ iamme: death tends to be a bit of a taboo topic in admissions circles, but i would maybe add a note, explain the situation… i’m sure they’d be sympathetic and i applaud you for overcoming your loss(es).
good luck!</p>
<p>Yes - definitely explain the causes of the grades in 7th grade; I imagine they should be sympathetic.</p>
<p>A random suggestion, feel free to disregard it (I realize I’m treading on a sensitive subject) - you could use your overcoming of grief after the deaths in/as your essay, to show how determined and strong your character is, and how nothing can stand in your way, etc. Not many applicants have had something like this happen to them and have been able to pull themselves out of that hole. Again - just an idea. I’m sorry if it is somehow offensive.</p>
<p>Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Explain it. Be honest. They will listen.</p>