Poor choice of common app topic? Is it too late?!

College Essays
1

<p>I was reading through a website, and an "essay" help website said specifically not to draw attention to weaknesses in your application in the essay, or reiterate your grades. However, I do both of those things in my essay! Not specifically, but it is most definitely implied. My essay is about running and how, when I started running as a hobby, it changed my life. I had suffered a loss of someone close to me, and running basically snapped me out of that fog. I never specifically say that that is the reason why my grades suffered, but it is implied. Is it bad that I called attention to it in my essay?
I tried to show the colleges how running had CHANGED me from the person who couldnt get out of bed to the person who "took chances I would have never dreamed of before, starting clubs, running for offices, organizing school events", basically saying my grades have changed and are stronger now than ever before. I turned my life around, and started clubs and other organizations, and I focus on that aspect. Would this be something I should take out? </p>

<p>Overall, I'm just worried about calling attention to my poor sophomore year grades, but I'm trying to juxtaposition them with my junior year grades, and more importantly, my senior 1st quarter grades that I am going to send.
Please help!!
Here is the website/quotes that I found the "advice" on
Most</a> Common Mistakes in College Application Essays
Doubt/Attention to Weaknesses
Explanation: Most students have one thing that is less than stellar on their applications (be it SATs, GPA, lack of extra-curricular activities). Do not draw attention to this weakness in this essay. There will be other places on the application to explain a weakness.
Fix: Read your essay solely for weakness and take them out!
Reiteration of Grades/Scores
Explanation: Students also praise themselves in their essays for strong grades and scores. Do not do so. Again, the committee already has your scores written elsewhere in the application.
Fix: Go through the essay and take out excessive discussion of your academic achievements. You can mention your GPA if you want to, but it is not necessary. The committee wants to know YOU as a person, not you as a grade-making machine.</p>

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<p>Without seeing your essay it’s difficult to answer your question, but generally I would say that essays that focus on overcoming adversity can be very compelling. The admissions office will see your grades, there’s no hiding them-- if your essay is focused on how you’ve changed as an individual and the change in grades etc is only implied I would say that you’re fine.</p>

<p>It may make sense to read additional admissions essay examples to better get a sense for when it works to mention your grades in a “turn around” themed essay.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

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<p>I’ve actually heard the opposite advice from you. If there is a part of your application that is noticeably weaker, addressing it is definitely the way to go. I think what you did is perfect, since you focused on what you changed instead of whining “this happened to me so you should go easy on me”.</p>

4

<p>^^You should address it in the additional information section, not the essay.</p>

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<p>I have recently come up with an “additional information” briefly explaining my drop in grades, and how I developed healthy coping mechanisms to overcome the deaths in my family that caused the drop in grades, and how these coping mechanisms are going to help me in the future. I plan to either submit a resume or this additional information, and I am debating it, because of the fact that I slightly showed my growth and “coping mechanisms” in my essay.</p>