<p>I am a senior and applied to several colleges for next fall. I have really strong scores, extra curriculars and grades from my freshman, sophomore and junior year but my senior grades have fallen drastically. I am taking the hardest classes avaliable at my high school but still my grades are substantially lower that they have ever been before. Is this going to affect my college acceptances drastically?</p>
<p>You don’t need to say exactly what you’re getting, but if it’s a one letter drop (say, from an A to a B) then you shouldn’t be worried at all.</p>
<p>On the other hand, If it’s a severe drop, do you have a good reason? If you do (i.e. sickness, death in family, dealing with something tough) you can mention it on the Common App OR in a additional, extra letter explaining why and send it to colleges. I don’t guarantee that it helps in every circumstance, but my friend got into Georgetown University EA recently even though her senior grades were abysmal (they SEVERELY dropped, meaning As to C-s) , because she explained the depression she is undergoing due to the death of her father (:() And if you have a similar problem, I think you can do this as well…I don’t claim that the colleges you applied to will definitely accept you, but it can only help to give them a letter of reassurance if you have a good reason. </p>
<p>Bottom Line: How severe is the drop in grades (just consider a drop, a BIG drop, or a completely awful drop) , and is the cause a viable and good reason? </p>
<p>Best of luck to you.</p>