Horrible senior grades with an F, now what?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Okay, so here's the deal. My grandmother lives with the rest of my family. She has had cancer twice before but (seemingly) gotten better. Shortly after senior year began, she was diagnosed with stage 3 metastatic ovarian cancer (those of you familiar with the play "W;t" will know the effects of this). Sadly, unlike her previous fights with cancer, this cancer is incurable and she was given a year to live.
I became a wreck: my grandmother is practically another parent for me. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and my grades fell sharply. By December I was able to get my study habits back into place, and my grades began to increase. However, they stayed low by the time the semester was over. I managed to only get a 3.8 weighted GPA (approx: a 3.0 unweighted), but I also failed one AP class.
I began to discuss circumstances with the teacher and she refused to change the grade, even with my counselors encouragement. Luckily, I was able to get the principal of my school to write a letter explaining the incident, and I also wrote a very detailed letter. My question is: do I have any chance of getting into my schools, even with an F on the transcript? Thanks!</p>

<p>Asian-Native American-White Male (Quarter Vietnamese, quarter Abenaki tibe) in So-Cal
Large public hs (very competitive)
Mom didn't go to college, dad went to Naval Academy and Harvard Business School</p>

<p>Grades: 3.45 UW 3.7 W
Pretty bad, I know. However I have taken a very challenging work load. It is more important for me to learn a lot in an AP course and get a B than to learn little in a regular course and get an A
SAT: 1970 (620 CR, 640 M, 710 W)
SAT II: 680 Literature, 570 Biology E (bummer)</p>

<p>Two reccs from teachers that really like me and I did very well in their classes.</p>

<p>My essay is on my trips to Africa. Is this too common?</p>

<p>EC's
My main extra currics have involved community service or music. I have twice traveled to Africa (Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda) to work with approx 9 different orphanages. I helped to raise a building at one of the orphanages. I have mainly worked with HIV-infected children, and have volunteered in hospitals around the areas I was located at.</p>

<p>I also have been a camp counselor at Forest Home family camp since I was in 8th grade. I go for 1 week at a time about 4 times per year.</p>

<p>I was a teachers assistant at a deaf elementary school (I am fluent in sign language). I worked with the children, taught new signs, and played games.</p>

<p>I am president of the Invisible Children club, the largest club on campus (75 people). I am also President of the Animal Rights club.</p>

<p>My music EC's are wide spanning. Basically I am principal double bassist in the honors orchestra, and have played a recital at Northwestern. I have participated in every musical opportunity available at my school (marching band, drum corp, jazz band, etc). </p>

<p>Senior class schedule:
AP Art History
AP Environmental Science
Orchestra
College Political Science 101
AP English Lit
Discrete Math</p>

<p>So here is my college list. </p>

<p>Colby College
Grinnell College
Lewis and Clark College
Macalester College
Oberlin College
UC Santa Cruz
Marlboro College
Bowdoin College
Vanderbilt University
Wesleyan University (Top Choice)</p>

<p>While Wes is my top choice, I would equally love to go to Grinnell, Macalester, or Oberlin. Those are the 4 I am most concerned about.
Thanks again!</p>

2

<p>I'm not sure.</p>

<p>If you had good grades your senior year, I think you would get into almost all of your colleges, including your top four. </p>

<p>However........well, there is a good reason for it. It's not just senioritis or something. </p>

<p>The "trip" essay is actually more common than one might think, but the topic doesn't really matter. It's what you do with it. </p>

<p>I think you'll be fine. Let's see what others have to say.</p>

3

<p>Remember to reiterate the term Native American many many times. It will get you far :)</p>

4

<p>Native American!?!</p>

5

<p>Haha yep, I'm a quarter Native American. Abenaki tribe from New Hampshire and Vermont.</p>

<p>Butterbattle, I appreciate your comments. I really regret my first semester grades. I just feel like I screwed up so bad, personal issues or not. I'm just so nervous that I won't get in anywhere because of the F. </p>

<p>If I don't get into Grinnell or Mac, I think I'll die haha.</p>

6

<p>
[quote]

"It is more important for me to learn a lot in an AP course and get a B than to learn little in a regular course and get an A"
"I have twice traveled to Africa (Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda) to work with approx 9 different orphanages."
"and have played a recital at Northwestern. I have participated in every musical opportunity available at my school"
"AP Art History
AP Environmental Science
Orchestra
College Political Science 101
AP English Lit
Discrete Math"

[/quote]
</p>

<p>F or not, you're still amazing. I would accept you for any of these.</p>

7

<p>Aw thanks so much, I really appreciate that comment. Seriously, that makes me feel a little better :)</p>

<p>I just hope the admissions people feel the same ;)</p>

8

<p>I was hoping that a few other people would be willing to give their opinions. Thanks!</p>

9

<p>I think the odds of you getting into one of the other (grin. or mac.) are very high. Perhaps not both, but one of those schools is bound to have an adcom say, "hey, this kid has had such a rough year, and still pulled a 3.0 with an F!" Don't worry, you will be accepted somewhere.</p>

10

<p>You sound amazing - just tell admissions your situation - seriously.</p>

<p>GOOD LUCKKK!!!</p>

11

<p>You sound like a great student -- I think you should tell admissions your circumstances with your grandmother.</p>

<p>I would emphasize the orphanages, more than the trip part of your journeys to Africa. You don't want the admissions dept. to have trip envy!</p>

12

<p>yeah just tell them your situation, I'm sure they'll understand
I'm so sorry about your grandmother</p>

<p>You are one of kind and I think most colleges would really want students like you to attend their school. Good Luck! :)</p>

13

<p>Hey thanks so much everybody! I've actually already sent a letter to each of my schools explaining the situation. I'm just afraid that it won't arrive in time (it was sent on saturday).</p>

<p>My essay explained the impact that working with the orphans had on me, and how I would eventually go back again etc. The actually trip wasn't as emphasized as the actions that took place at the orphanage.</p>

<p>Just got my acceptance letter from UC Santa Cruz about an hour ago. Yeah!</p>

14

<p>So I got denied from Macalester today. Needless to say I was devastated, because it was probably my #2 school. It really worries me because I don't think my letters will have any impact on the schools' decisions. </p>

<p>Now what do I do? I mean, if I get denied from every school, what then? I can't even tell you guys how nervous I am.</p>

15

<p>uuuuuuhhhhh, well, if the worst scenario happens, you can always go to a safety and apply for transfer later.</p>

<p>Don't give up. We're rooting for you!!!</p>

16

<p>Thanks man. It just sucks really bad, especially because I was so interested in Macalester.</p>

<p>I'm still waiting for Grinnell and Oberlin. Only a few days left.</p>