How To Address Uneven Transcript?

Applying to College
1

<p>A guy at school clued me into this website (hey Phil if you're reading this!) and all I can say is...wow. </p>

<p>So here's the deal. I'm a rising senior and I've taken the hardest courseload possible given certain constraints (i.e. scheduling conflicts). My SAT scores are pretty good (1570/1600, 2280/2400), my SAT IIs are decent (780, 750, 740), and based on past years, I should be a National Merit semi-finalist. </p>

<p>The only problem is my transcript. I've got a 3.65 unweighted from a good private high school, which will go down to a 3.61 or so after this semester. It's this low mostly because of my junior year grades. This year has been kind of rough on a personal level, as I was dealing with the whole coming out deal. I managed to get back on track towards the end of a year, you know, finding a gay teacher to talk to to help me figure things out, starting a GSA and generally feeling better about the whole deal, but my grades were already shot for the year.</p>

<p>I know the junior year is the most important year and that this dip will hurt me quite a bit. I know it's not really an excuse and that it is my fault for not focusing, but honestly, being the only out person at a Christian high school kind of blows, a LOT.</p>

<p>Anyway, how can I address this so admissions people will understand what was going on and demonstrate that I have the potential to do well?</p>

<p>Any and all advice muchly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Great hook! Why are you even asking this? <em>whackwhackwhack</em>. =P </p>

<p>One way is to write it as the long essay on the CommonApp. It's a great essay on how you've overcome your problems. Another is to write it as an addendum to your applications. Bear in mind though, you are screwed if a conservative gay burning adcom reads your app. So choose your colleges carefully. =) But congrats on coming out successfully! (I hope it was successful.)</p>

<p>And gosh, I'd take you if I was a college. You've got the academics, drive, and maturity. Good luck. =)</p>

3

<p>Haha, thanks Melli.
Do you go to TAS, perchance?</p>

4

<p>Academics are more than everything. In fact, if you don't have good grades, you should practice being unhappy now, because you don't even deserve a good life. </p>

<p>__</p>

<p>Actually, if you make some of your better extra cirricular activities and challenges very visible, you would be a great candidate. Your GPA may be a bit low for Harvard, but is good for every other place (Besides, maybe, Princeton). ;-) Good luck.</p>

5

<p>O_o I do. Did you used to go here?</p>