I got good grades in all years of HS except 11th. Is that a nail in my college-coffin?

Applying to College
1

Hey, so my 2016 Fall applications for Undergrad. admissions have already gone out. My essays were great (writing is a strength). My SAT scores were in the top 5% of all SAT takers (barring math scores). And I have really good scores all through high-school except 11th grade.
Now, off to the excuses…
I moved to India from the US in 9th grade. I had to learn new subjects, new languages, and a whole new pattern. However, I coped. I got decent grades in 9th, really good ones in 10th (which are the state Boards), and then I switched schools because in India you have a different school for 11th and 12th. My mother has always had Major Depression. In 11th grade, we moved about 15 miles away from my new college. My mom’s illness worsened and developed into Bipolar Disorder and my dad moved out. She wouldn’t go to the psychiatrist with anyone but me. The 11th curriculum was totally different with Commerce oriented subjects lying heavily on Math (not my strength). I could barely manage the household chores, combined with dealing with my mom’s outbursts, making sure she took her meds., her doctor appointments and my schoolwork. Moreover because my dad moved out I had nobody to drive me to school and I had to take the local bus for the first time (quite a feat if you’ve ever been to India). I got really bad grades. Like REALLY bad.

By the time 12th grade rolled in, my mom was on new meds, I had coped with managing all the duties, my dad came back. Things really turned around. Also, I dropped Math for another subject more prevalent for what I wanted to do in the future. We had the 12th state boards and I scored in the top 10% of my school.

I feel like someone who doesn’t own up to their responsibilities writing all these excuses out :confused: But it is what happened… Do you guys think this severely limits my college options? Please help. I can’t sleep at night thinking about this stuff. I really want to get into a good college because now I know what I want to do with my life, I know I would be good at it… I just want to know if all my other efforts have gone to waste.

PS: I managed to stay participate and excel at extra-curricular activities all through out my schooling except 11th grade.

2

It would help if you could name some schools you are interested in. What is a “good college” to you? Are we talking Harvard here or…? If your guidance counselor writes in their recommendation and explains the reasons for your grade drops, you should be okay.

3

Hey, thanks for the response!
A good college to me is not Harvard :stuck_out_tongue: That would be off the charts lol. But more like USC, Wellesley, NYU, Boston Uni. Dartmouth… around that range.

4

I think that is a really inspiring story - you are so strong to deal with that. I think most colleges would understand, given your other high scores, however you should make sure your counselor includes the reasons in your rec or you type up an explanation and include it in the “additional info” section of common app. Good luck!!:slight_smile:

5

Considering you did so well in 12th grade, I think it shows that it was genuinely your other issues that hindered your schoolwork. As long as your counselor explains this, or you include it in the “additional info” section, you still have a good chance at these schools.

Also, if you write any essays/supplements on your family struggles, make sure they don’t come off as “whiny”. Focus on how these experiences impacted and change you as a person (hopefully for the better!).

Well that’s my two cents, good luck!