<p>and other top schools take into account personal circumstances?
For example, my life has been total crap this year. I missed about half the year because of illness(and a lot of family issues as well), and I made 2 B's(because of absences), and my class rank fell probably to 5th or 6th (at a crappy public). I'm really worried that I won't be able to get in anywhere(that I want, lol, I know I'll get in somewhere)
The only other B's I've made were freshman year, and one last year.
I've also had very little Extra curricular involvement, because of being sick, and because my mother has cancer, and I have to be at home with her pretty much whenever I'm not in school.
It just really sucks, because I was really involved and great until all of this crap happened. And now I'm extremely stressed. :(</p>
<p>I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time :(. I think it’s important that in your application you make sure the school is completely aware of your situation (in the common app or in your personal essay even). </p>
<p>I imagine all the difficulty you’ve had to experience at such a young age has probably made a deep impact on you and your outlook on life. Use that new outlook to your benefit through your essays. And maybe caring for your ill mother will be seen as an “extra-curricular.” It is, after all, something that is important to you and that has influenced you deeply most likely. </p>
<p>Of course Princeton will also want good test scores and grades, so do your best to get the stats you need to be considered. I don’t know what grade you’re in now, but it’s never too late to start being active in school. I’m not saying you have to join every club, but maybe choose one or two things that are important to you. Maybe you can start a race for cancer to raise money or whatever else you’re passionate about. </p>
<p>But like I said, I do think any school will take into consideration personal hardship that has affected you academically. Although I’m not on the admissions committee, so it’s hard to know anything for sure. Good luck to you in the college admissions process!</p>
<p>One reason Princeton dropped early decision was to ensure that students from more difficult home situations have an equal opportunity for admission. </p>
<p>Both the university and your alumni interviewer will be interested in knowing the problems you have faced and importantly what you have done to overcome these difficulties. If you have to work part time to earn money or have to take provide care for your mother these responsibilities might be a subject for your application essay or at least discuss your responsibilities with your alumni interviewer. I recommended a student for admission partly because she worked before and after school, had a very positive can do attitude and excelled in the classroom. One or two B’s will not prevent your chance for admission. A good recommendation for a teacher that is aware of your personal circumstances and can show how you have overcome a difficult situation could be an important plus for you.</p>
<p>Explain your situation in a straight forward manner; not a woe is me, I can’t handle the stress. Demonstrate how you surmounted a difficult situation. It is my personal belief that a key to being admitted is when the admission officer reads an application and says to themselves, This is a student that I want to meet. Be that student.</p>
<p>This may be a blessing in disguise. It gives you a unique and interesting topic to write about. So if you can effectively convey that situation to admissions through a realistic essay, it would be HUGE. You can show them a real person behind the numbers.</p>
<p>excellent responses</p>
<p>goldy, just make sure you ace those courses from now on…</p>