There are two main ways that you could communicate your situation: First, your high school counselor could discuss it in his/her letter. The second way is by using the “Additional Information” section of the Common App.
Good luck
Trying to explain away lower grades likely will not come across the way you want it. It normally reads, “I had an issue and it impacted me “. What people like to see is “”Ihad an issue and it didn’t impact me, I was able to manage through it”.
You don’t explain bad grades. List your job prominently in your activities section. Then in additional information, go into concise detail about why you had to work, but be matter of fact and don’t make it lengthy. They will see the dates. Let them understand that you had to work. It’s more powerful than trying to explain lower grades away.
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I don’t agree. I’ve heard many AOs say the additional information is the place to address an issue that impacted grades.
OP: keep it short. In x grade my family experienced financial difficulties. I worked at x for x hours a week in order to help with family expenses. My grades suffered temporarily but since that time x.
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I would be cautious about flagging items that may suggest or be seen as seeking to suggest there was a disability.