<p>I read a book (some type of admissions book) and the author said that if something major/life changing/tragedy happened during your school year, mention it in your app to "explain" grade dips/trends etc. </p>
<p>How do colleges view this exactly? How much "leeway" do they actually give in terms of grade dips due to special circumstances?</p>
<p>It really depends on the college. It definitely makes your admission much more of a tossup. I know a girl who had so-so grades and like a 2100, but had a medical issue which accounted for most of her academic performance. She was also an excellent artist and had won dozens of state and national contests.</p>
<p>Denied by UCB and Cornell
Accepted by UCLA, Duke and Harvard</p>
<p>Again, it's a tossup, and for the average kid who doesn't have anything special, using a disability as an excuse, with no other shown potential, isn't going to get you anywhere.</p>
<p>depends on the circumstances. If it seems logical. Also, if your SAt scores and all are average and so are ur grades over 4 years, probably not. If 3 / 4 years are awesome and ur SAT is 2100+, then they will say 'Yes, he was affected by the problem' as if he hadnt had it, probably his grades would have ben excellent.</p>
<p>Basically, except for the 'special circumstances' year, iof ur remaining scores and stats would get you admitted, you will get in this way too. If you are not that good and justify it ALL on 'sc', then nope...</p>
<p>My grandma was diagnosed with cancer when I was in 9th grade and she was the one who raised me. Does this count as special circumstances? because it actually affected my grades. My GPA in freshman year was 3.7 but i got 3.92 in 10th grade and a 4.0 (so far) as a junior...</p>
<p>well, 3.7 isnt worth complaining
1. Its damn good
2. U have the rising trend</p>
<p>U can always mention it... but its not that serious, especially since u didnt plummet that much..</p>
<p>BTW, best wishes for ur grandmom</p>
<p>You actually think a 3.7 would be consired a dip/bad?</p>
<p>Wow, CC warps minds...</p>
<p>yea. average CC GPA is probably like 3.8 UW</p>
<p>yes!!! officially a CC "member".</p>