How much do colleges really consider extenuating circumstances?

I’ve had what may be considered extenuating circumstances (grew up with violent, drug-addict father who was incarcerated 3 times before age 18, lied to me about having a terminal disease, withheld food/med care as punishment; I was sexually assaulted as a child; my close friend/classmate was killed when I was in high school). I have been diagnosed with PTSD, and the symptoms of this disorder have interfered a lot in coursework, in that I was often unable to focus, anxious, or went into dissociative states and couldn’t remember things. In college, my grades are much better (I had a 2.8 in HS, but have a 4.0 now). I’m getting help and everything, but I fear that colleges will still view me poorly for my inferior performance in high school.

Do colleges care about extenuating circumstances? Is there even a way to talk about them on the common app (without coming across as whiny)? I’d be using the transfer application, btw.

You are going to be best off if you apply to transfer during your sophomore year when you have 3 solid, very good semesters of grades under you belt to show them. You can discuss family issues (an incarcerated parent is probably the one that would carry the most weight of the list you gave, IMHO) during your HS years. But in general I don’t think it will change the picture much – by far the best thing you can do is get GREAT grades in your college classes, and build some relationships with profs to try to get excellent recommendations. Then shoot to transfer to schools reasonably within your range (don’t go haring off after Ivy leagues or something). Be sure you’ve considered finances carefully, too, as transfers often don’t get great aid.

The incarcerated parent was honestly the only positive thing on that list. Child rape is definitely the worst, that shouldn’t even be a question. A violent crime was committed against me by an adult over twice my age and size. But I digress.

I am currently a sophomore in college (though I don’t yet have the full 60 units required to transfer). The info about the aid kind of stings. I work minimum wage and I’ll be considered independent when I apply, so I’m completely reliant on a good aid package.

My intended major is Classics, but it’s not offered at all at community colleges, which is why I want to transfer. My dream schools were Wellesley or Bryn Mawr, but I guess those are probably out. Hmmm, I may have to reevaluate.

Will you be 24 or older? There are special programs at the women’s colleges for people who are non-traditional students: Bryn Mawr has McBrides (https://www.brynmawr.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/mcbride-scholars), Wellesley has Davis Scholars (https://www.wellesley.edu/admission/esp/davis). Also look at Smith’s Ada Comstock Scholar program (https://www.smith.edu/admission-aid/how-apply/ada-comstock-scholars) and the Francis Perkins program at Mount Holyoke (https://www.mtholyoke.edu/fp).

Even if you don’t qualify for these programs, these schools all promise to meet the financial need of either 100% of their students, or close to 100% of their students, so they will likely provide you with a solid aid package. Check out the Net Price Calculators on their websites to see, though.

It sounds like you have been amazingly strong to get where you are. You’ve been through a lot. When you write about the adversity you have faced (most likely in an essay), just be careful how you present yourself. You’ll want to make sure that you don’t give the admissions people cause to think that you see yourself as a victim, but rather as someone who has faced enormous challenges and still come out on top thanks to your drive and character. I believe the women’s colleges really like applicants to interview if possible (on campus is better if you can swing it), so that would provide you with another way to share your unique story. Best of luck!

Colleges may require documentation of extenuating circumstances.

Springbird: I will be 24 when I enroll, but still 23 for a few months when I apply. So, I /think/ I might qualify as “non-traditional” (not sure when the cutoff is). That’s good information to know; thank you!

TomSrOfBoston: I have access to documentation. Not a problem.

Are you applying to Bryn Mawr through their CC transfer program? http://www.brynmawr.edu/catalog/2016-17/admission/communitycoll.html