Mediocre Frsh/ Soph years, Medical excuse?

Applying to College
1

<p>In the fall of 9th grade I began having bizarre medical symptoms and had a horrible experience, including several hospital admissions. Ended up with an 85ish average.</p>

<p>In early 10th grade I was diagnosed with a life threatening heart condition, had surgery and in and out of visiting doctors/ hospitals, on top of frequent problems. My Q1 average was an 88.</p>

<p>Once I was stable, I took from these experiences a new appreciation for medicine and realized that is what I wanted to do, help kids just like me. So I worked like crazy all year and in Q's 2, 3 and 4 I averaged a 96 overall. </p>

<p>However, during the last month of school and finals week my grandfather became gravely ill and passed away. On the eve of my science and math finals I couldn't even study due to being at his wake. Needless to say my finals were not what I wanted them to be. I ended up with a 93 average on the year. Core stats here;</p>

<p>87 English
92 Geometry
92 Chem
95 AP World</p>

<p>I still want a chance at some of the most competitive schools (Cornell, Macaulay Honors etc.). How bad will this hurt me? Is there still hope? How do I convey these circumstances to colleges?</p>

2

<p>Ace your junior year and you should have a decent chance. Plenty of kids face hardship. You seem to be in a good position(grades-wise) to show recovery and improvement. </p>

<p>Don’t forget about rank and Sats/Acts and ECs etc etc etc good luck to you.</p>

3

<p>I would call your grades anything but mediocre. You’ve done an amazing job, especially considering the hardships you’ve had to face. Just keep working hard and you’ll be fine.</p>

<p>As for explaining it to colleges, I believe your GC is the best person to write that in their letter. My GC asked me if I wanted her to write about anything that was ‘detrimental to my high school career’ so that colleges would understand it. I wouldn’t write about it in your essay.</p>