<p>My freshman year grades were a lot worse than any other year because I moved cross country the day before school started and was depressed. I have a strong upward trend (3.5F>4.2S>4.8J) and I was wondering if I should bother explaining this somewhere on the app. If I should, where could I talk about it?</p>
<p>BTW, i moved from CT to socal and got dominated by culture shock if anyone's interested. I can legitimately say that I am happy i moved though because I would have never been able to experience that kind of insecurity in a new environment.</p>
<p>Yes, you should explain it, because otherwise the admissions officers won't know that you moved and that that had a significant effect on your grades. If you don't tell them, they'd think that it was due to other factors. Usually on applications there's a box for additional information, and you could just put a sentence or two.</p>
<p>just try to suck it up... top colleges especially don't like to see people trying to make excuses</p>
<p>Well, if it's an excuse, don't say it. But if it's genuine, then say so.</p>
<p>Explain, not excusing, is good.</p>
<p>how would i differentiate from explaining and excusing if I were to write about it. The last thing I (or anybody) wants is to seem artificial.</p>
<p>Well, just try to keep your tone sort of...explaining. Don't go in there like "I did poorly but it wasn't my fault," because that's more of an excuse thing. </p>
<p>Honestly, that last paragraph in your first post would be a good way to go. It doesn't just excuse yourself for the poor grades, it also explains why this happened and what you learned.</p>
<p>Something like that, anyway. Just make them see that you've learned from it and that the circumstances really did affect you a lot, without sounding whiny.</p>
<p>An excuse has a defensive tone and an explanation is more matter of fact to slightly self-deprecating.</p>
<p>ex: My parents uprooted me from everything I've ever known and it really depressed me. (blaming your parents and the move)</p>
<p>ex: I allowed the move to California to derail me and with the immaturity of a typical freshman I responded by blaming my parents and my new situation for the dip in my grades. By the time sophomore year rolled around I left my pity party and started working up to my potential again. (taking ownership and acknowledging that you were the one responsible)</p>
<p>BTW, your GPA is still stellar and many excellent colleges are not at all bothered by lower frosh scores provided they see an upward trend. Congratulations on doing so well!</p>
<p>I experienced a similar move (and similar shock). If it did affect you in the way that you say, it should be noted. You may want to talk to your GC, too, so you can make a brief note, but (s)he can expand/confirm if for some reason (s)he feels it's necessary.</p>
<p>How to explain, not excuse? Don't expect your reason to excuse your freshman year grades, and you'll probably be fine. Your reason will put the grades in context...it won't erase them. Keep things factual and to the point. Brevity is good. I included a note with my own apps: 1-2 sentences that said I'd missed X-amount of school due to extended illness in the spring of my freshman year (big grade drop). Maybe I could have said more and been fine, but I provided just enough info that adcoms could go "What's this big drop here? Oh, apparently she was really sick" instead of "What's this big drop here? That's weird." </p>
<p>Good luck with the apps...you look like you've been on a great path since your freshman year, so don't let numbers drag you down :)</p>
<p>ETA: Cross-posted with historymom.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, guys. I really appreciate it.</p>