<p>I have senior in HS. Her brother (2 years her senior took his life 6 months ago). The consequences of this on our family and especially on her are endless. Do colleges consider information like this? How are they made aware of it? What advice can anybody give me?</p>
<p>The usual way of dealing with situations like this is for the student and/or parent to discuss it with the guidance counselor – which may have already happened anyway – and then for the guidance counselor to mention the unusual situation and any consequences that it may have had for the student (such as atypically poor grades in a particular semester) in the letter of recommendation that the counselor will write for the student.</p>
<p>First, I am sorry that you are going through this. I can’t imagine the great loss you feel. The poster above is correct. If you have not involved your D’s GC, do it now. Also many applications have an extra essay the student can write that is used to write about unusual situations.</p>
<p>My heart goes out to you. I have nothing more to add regarding colleges and the way they learn or respond to information about difficult times in a family that hasn’t already been said. I am sure that they do take this into account if they are informed (as the earlier posters stated).</p>
<p>Oh my, such sad news for your family. Has your daughter considered this topic something to write about in her college essay, or is just too hard?</p>
<p>Please talk with your D’s guidance counselor – it is something that her teachers ought to know about too. I hope your daughter has some counseling available to her, and that you do too. Suicide causes many rents in the fabric of our lives, and some of those only emerge as time passes. </p>
<p>I am so sorry for you, your family, and your son. I hope this year brings more peace to all of you, and especially comfort to your daughter.</p>
<p>So sorry you are going through this. The replies above supply sound advice. I know of a family who experienced a similar situation a few years ago. The senior decided to take a gap year, because it was too hard to finish the college applications and to choose a college, at that time. Taking the gap year turned out to be a good decision for that student and that family.</p>
<p>Although I have no advice to offer, I just wanted to say I’m so sorry that your family is going through this. The fifth anniversary of my brother’s suicide was three weeks ago. It has been a tough five years for all of us–his parents, his siblings, his wife, his three children, his friends. It does get better, but it is a gradual process.</p>
<p>Echoing all the sympathy offered above. My heart goes out to you and your family. Also wanted to say that I’ve noted your username and if you are not an expat or at an international school, then perhaps you could approach the Form Tutor to perform the GC role here. Or whoever typically writes the Personal Reference for UCAS.</p>
<p>I also offer my sympathies to your family. The only thing I would suggest…perhaps finding a school where there is some sort of grief counseling would be good. If your daughter is attending a group now…maybe that has an affiliated group on or near some campus. If you have a religious affiliation, perhaps your clergy person can offer some help.</p>
<p>I want to share my sympathy for your loss.</p>