If you have a poor gpa because of family issues, do colleges take that into consideration?

My second semester has just begun in my freshman year of high school, and I had a 3.2 gpa overall. However, I know I can do better than this. My family has been served with monthly eviction notices, although we’ve been able to deal with it. I had to move to a different town because we don’t have enough money, and we still get monthly eviction notices. Yet again, were able to deal with it, but it’s really affected my grades. I find myself losing interest in school, but I constantly worry about my future. Do colleges consider these events? If I continue with a 3.2 in freshman year but do better in sophomore and junior year will I be fine? My reach school is Columbia, and I really want to get in. However I’m losing hope for that more by the day.

Columbia and most other universities are holistic in admissions. They will take these factors into consideration. Your family will have to file FAFSA and CSS which will prove your very low family income status. However if your family situation prevents you from receiving adequate academic preparation to handle the course load at a top college, then admission would be doubtful.

However if you family’s financial filings do not back up your extenuating circumstances…