Letters for Extenuating Circumstances/Explanation

Applying to College
1

<p>There are probably a handful of these threads, but I do not know what to accurately search... However, in my sophomore year, I experienced a grade drop from mental illness that sent my GPA from a ~4.0 GPA weighted to a ~3.2 weighted GPA in the following year. I also went from straight A's to straight B's and B-'s. In my third year, I've pulled up to all A's, except for History. My GPA in sophomore year really hurts my cumulative GPA, and I felt like I need to explain that to colleges when I apply. It was not because I was not trying, but I went through a particularly rough episode of depression, struggled with anxiety disorder and the mindsets/destructive behavior that often tags along with it...</p>

<p>My school is extremely competitive and often applies to the same schools. Many students have solid, more consistent grades, and I do not think it's fair that I could have had the same opportunity as near straight A's, but was compromised by personal issues I still have to deal with... So, here are my questions:</p>

<p>-If I wanted to submit a letter explaining my fall in grades & consequently decreased GPA, should I write it myself and have my counselor and doctor or therapist sign it? Or is it more professional or official for my guidance counselor to do so?<br>
-Is it possible to turn my situation around and in the letter relate this to a sense of stronger character that I have, now adapting to these conditions and the daily struggle?
-Will pointing out that I have a mental illness take away from my application? (I do not want to say "personal problems" because I feel if I specifically reference something, it will be more valid...)</p>

<p>Thanks! Feel free to point me out to any thread that addresses this.</p>

2

<p>Is this drop in grades certainly unacceptable for the schools to which you’re applying? It’s almost always best to avoid bringing up mental illnesses like the one you described on applications.</p>

3

<p>Have your GC write an explanation that doesn’t refer to “mental illness”. Due to the stress and isolation that students – particularly freshmen – experience that can exacerbate or cause mental illness relapses, colleges tend to be wary of admitting students with histories of mental illness. Probably most college counseling centers lack the ability to treat students with serious mental illnesses, and this is something else that causes colleges to try to avoid admitting students who may have or be prone to serious mental health problems.</p>

4

<p>I’m sorry to hear this happened… I know a lot of people who have gone through similar situations.</p>

<p>Ive heard from my counselor (who was a former admissions rep at stanford) that you should never mention anything about “mental illness” anywhere in your app, b/c colleges will see you as a potential burden on their incoming class. You should probably explain that you had some “major health issues” (be as vague as possible) during 10th grade, with a note from your GC. The commonapp leaves space for circumstances such as these.</p>

5

<p>^Agreed. Have your GC explain it as a medical issue without going into detail.</p>