During my Sophomore year of high school my mom got cancer and it really affected me and made my grades drop from straight As to As and Bs. Should I include that this happened in my application under special circumstances for grades?
Is your school counselor aware of this? It is best if they mention it because that makes it credible. Talk to the counselor.
If it’s just you saying something and the counselor makes no mention, they are going to think you are making excuses.