I have a C in one of my classes...

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I had a mental breakdown in one of my AP classes after hearing that my grandmother, who was for all intents and purposes my guardian and parent, died in a hit-and-run car accident. </p>

<p>This was during finals week. I had to leave school early because I couldn't calm down. This is the first time that this has ever happened to me.
My teacher ended up giving me a failing grade on the test so my grade dropped. This is a class I was already struggling in, and the final was my last chance to get the grade up.
I have a 3.81 GPA now.</p>

<p>I keep getting rejected to all of the programs and scholarships I apply to, despite spending weeks and months on the essays.
My extracurriculars are fairly good, or so I'm told. I'm one of the most involved people in my school. But clearly it isn't enough.
I'm certain that my glaring C+ is related to this..I think it'd almost be better if I had gotten a bunch of B's opposed to this one C.</p>

<p>I don't know what to do.
Summer programs are perhaps not as important, though they would help a lot with college admissions, but scholarships are very important since without them, I'm not certain I'll be able to pay for college.</p>

2

<p>First of all, I’m so sorry this happened to you, and I would suggest telling colleges about it in the “Additional Information” section on the Common App. </p>

<p>A 3.81 is definitely not low enough to stop you from getting money if you need it (a lot of your aid will be need-based anyway), especially from a state school.</p>

<p>“I keep getting rejected to all of the programs and scholarships I apply to, despite spending weeks and months on the essays.”</p>

<p>It’s most likely not because of your grades. Spending a lot of time on the essays doesn’t necessarily make them good, and being the most involved person doesn’t necessarily mean you have good ECs. But most likely it’s just that the other applicants were marginally better.</p>

3

<p>My sympathies. Colleges account for extenuating circumstances, so don’t worry.</p>