<p>Last year I had a huge drop in my grades because at the time my parents had been fighting a lot and nearly had a divorce (they are fine now). But at the time I was carrying the weight of three ap classes and I just got buried. How am I supposed to tell the colleges that in that section, do I write a essay? Or do I just say in in a word doc? Please tell me, Im the first in my family that has ever applied to college and I'm super confused.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t write a whole essay about it; I’d briefly mention it in the Additional Information and leave it at that.</p>
<p>Tell them you’re the first in your family to go to college, but don’t make a big deal about it.</p>
<p>If you are going to mention it, I would just say that you had “family issues” during that time that are now resolved. Then maybe give your guidance counselor more of the scoop, because sometimes the schools will follow up with them. If that is the case, I would probably avoid applying early anyplace… go regular decision so you can get GREAT grades this semester to prove it was just a temporary slide.</p>