Question

Applying to College
1

<p>During my Freshmen year I did rather terrible (90/100 avg), however this was due to the fact that my Grandma had a stroke and was in a Coma during the whole year, until she died right around May of my Freshmen year. We just buried her 2 weeks ago (It took about a year to arrange the funeral and everything). During the time she was in a Coma however we visited her in the hospital almost every day, and generally I felt very depressed about it. </p>

<p>Should I mention this when I apply? Personally I'm not really sure because I dont want to seem like im 'exploiting' her death by making an 'excuse' for my low grades, even though I geniunely felt very sad about it during the time (im feeling unhappy again right now just remembering it, she was very close to me). What should I do? I'm a rising Junior and I was just wondering about this, like should I tell my counseler when the time for college discussions come up, or send a letter with the app, or just not mention it at all? Any advice would be great, thanks.</p>

2

<p>A 90 average is not terrible. It will seem like an excuse.</p>

3

<p>Well, the two courses relating to what I plan to study (Math and Science) were 88 and 86, respectively.</p>

4

<p>Again, not awful.</p>

<p>And it's your freshman year.</p>

<p>Many kids have grandparents or other relatives die. And she died in May of your freshman year, so it could only have, theoretically, affected your exams.</p>

<p>Mention it if you feel that you must. But most excuses involve immediate family or the applicant themselves.</p>