<p>My mid-term grades looks a bit weak because I was preparing for SAT at that time. So where can I explain this? I couldn't find anywhere in my common app essay to put in. And how can I make it sound less like an excuse?</p>
<p>That excuse isn’t worth sharing; but if you really want to, you can use the “Additional Information” section.</p>
<p>I know its not a good excuse… But I don’t want them to think the grades represents my general performance.</p>
<p>^ Won’t your transcript indicate that those grades are anomalous?</p>
<p>Yeah, but because that’s pretty recent. And I did quite badly for one subject in my finals as well. I was actually the top 5% in my finals but because my school does not rank officially so I m afraid that they don’t see it…</p>