How to explain a downward trend?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi, I'm an incoming senior and I'm looking to apply as a biomedical engineering major in the fall.
With regards to my GPA, I did really well freshman year (4.0 UWGPA), meh sophomore year (3.7 UWGPA), and I had a really hard time junior year (3.6UWGPA). </p>

<p>I know I have a downward trend, and I'm just wondering how it'll look to an admissions officer. </p>

<p>I take majority AP/honors classes (especially junior year, where I doubled up on sciences and took a full academic schedule), and my high school is super-rigorous. </p>

<p>I can partly attribute the trend to my medical condition- I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety in 7th grade, took medication until 9th grade, and stopped until a month ago, when I was put back on the medication. </p>

<p>Where on the application might I be able to explain this, if it would be relevant at all? </p>

<p>Just for reference, I am looking to apply to: (I live in California)
UCI
UCD
UCSD
UCSC
UCR
Cal Poly SLO
U Wash
U Michigan
WPI
RIT
(and I haven't finished my list yet)</p>

<p>If anyone has any advice, that would be wonderful, and thanks in advance!!</p>

2

<p>The best thing to do is talk with your guidance counselor. Your GC can explain the situation to colleges and become your advocate when they submit the Secondary School Report (SSR) on your behalf: <a href=“http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/documents/UG_Admissions_SecondarySchoolReport.pdf”>http://www.ugadm.northwestern.edu/documents/UG_Admissions_SecondarySchoolReport.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>UCs don’t directly consider freshman GPA. You’ll also need to compute your UC GPA.</p>

4

<p>Agree with what Gibby said: Leave it to your counselor to explain if necessary. Our counselor told us that we do not have to explain a downward trend in GPA. The freshman GPA is not important in admission decision. Admission committee values the rigor of courses you take. Your sophomore and junior GPAs are not that different. It should not be a concern that needs special explanation.</p>

5

<p>That’s not really a downward trend. The 3.6 is less than ideal, but still plenty strong for many of the schools on your list. As difficulty ramps up, a slight dip like that is perfectly acceptable, depending on what the individual grades are. This might be a case of not calling attention to a problem that isn’t really there.</p>