<p>I had a particularly bad junior year, which I don't think fairly represents my academic success. Unfortunately, I got 3 B's both semesters (ap comp, ap euro, honors precalc) in my most important high school year. Previous to junior year, nearly all of my grades were As, so I would say that it does come off as somewhat strange that I had a dip in grades.I took up a pretty demanding job last year, and I think it may have affected my grades. However, this year, I plan on also having 2-3 (most likely 3) Bs on my first semester transcript, just due to the classes being difficult. </p>
<p>Is it too poor of an excuse, especially since I repeated the offense this year? Or is it just not worth mentioning?</p>
<p>An alumni from a prestigious school told me they look at your the date you worked a job & the hours. So they'd see that Oh he took a job and he got a couple Bs.. then they will determine if they like it</p>
<p>I would not say anything since the grades have continued. Unless you're very poor and had to contribute to your family's finances, a tough job is not a good excuse anyway.</p>
<p>I would suggest mentioning that it took you a little while to balance your work hours with your academic commitments and that once you figured it out, your grades returned to their previous levels. I would also tell them it has helped prepare you to be more successful in college, where every student has to learn to balance their responsibilities. (But do not sound like a crazy person who is neurotic about not getting straight A's.)</p>
<p>Well, since it continued, you are in a tough situation. Normally you would explain how you overcame the hardship, but it appears that you have not yet, so I really don't think you can mention it. Hopefully, colleges will notice your hours and the time that you commenced the job, so that should help.</p>
<p>Update: I decided that since I didn't know how my first semester grades would turn out to leave out the explanation. However, I just received my first semester grades and they were surprisingly better than expected. Although I did receive two Bs, my weighted GPA (4.2) this semester is significantly higher than it was last semester (4.0). </p>
<p>All of my apps have already been received, but should this warrant me to explain that I "overcame difficulties" that I faced junior year, or no? I could probably slip a personal statement in when I send mid-years.</p>
<p>I know I don't really have anything to lose, but I keep thinking like I didn't improve enough for me to mention it. Technically, I went from 3 Bs to 2, with a slightly more difficult course load, which doesn't sound spectacular to me. The only significant change was my weighted GPA (as I stated before, 4.0 to 4.2). </p>
<p>On the common app, it wouldn't hurt to mention it in the extra space they provide for you, or even on many supplements, they offer you a chance to supply information regarding family circumstance/personal struggle/illness etc. that has had an impact on your academic performance. </p>
<p>I mentioned my family circumstance and consequent job obligation in the space on the common app...</p>
<p>My friend (president of student body, good gpa, good extra currics) got REJECTED SCEA from Yale, and when his counselor called the admissions office, they said they didn't like the downward trend of his transcript.</p>
<p>An explanation might salvage your app... IMO. Good luck!</p>
<p>I think you should still be fine. I know a friend who was admitted to Columbia even though she made 3 Bs in her junior year (she had all As fresh-sophomore years). However, it was ED. That's just an example of how there are ways to overcome bad grades.</p>