Should I mention this as an extenuating circumstance?

Applying to College
1

<p>During my freshmen and sophmore years my father was deported because he was technically an illegal immigrant. I had to see him in jail for 2 months for just trying to keep food on the table for us. He is still gone and we don't anticipate him to have paperwork done until i graduate. Since then, my mom and my 2 brothers have moved to a smaller apartment and our income has been cut to about 30,000 a year. My mom has taken a lot more load and that meant i had to take care of my brothers significantly b/c i was the oldest. I also got a hardship license at the age of 15 b/c my mom needed me to drive. This extra time providing for my brothers has taken a toll on my academics those years. I had a 3.4 and 3.7 weighted GPA. However, I've managed to during Jr. Year get a 4.55 both semesters. Here's my resume</p>

<p>3.9 weighted GPA
Top 10-13 (estimate) percent of class (I go to Plano one of the hardest school districts in Texas)
34 ACT
1450 SAT out of 1600
4 years top orchestra
4 years All Region Violin
All state Violinist
Secretary and President of Orchestra (senior yr)
FBLA (nationals)
Model UN officer
Key Club
200 hrs of volunteer service
Big Brother and Big Sisters volunteer
Church Praise Band for 9th and 10th grade
2 jobs during highschool yrs (umpire and cashier)
SAT II:
US history: 780 French: 750 Spanish:730 Korean: 780 (not native speaker, but parents are)
I have taken 9 AP courses and have progressively done well
Also Epidemiology Scholar Winner (YES foundation)
How would the supplemental music materials help me in my admission?
Because I am very interested in playing in the orchestra there. Hopefully this would be and advantage for me right? because with all due respect to the school its not Julliard in music so hopefully my musical prowess would help me?
Also JV baseball for one year
Could the circumstance help me out with applying to top schools?</p>

2

<p>I think you should talk to your counselor, explain, or remind him/her of your circumstances and then ask if this could be talked about in your counselor letter. </p>

<p>Or if you have a responsible adult who knew you these years who can write a supplementary recommendation explaining the situation - someone like a minister?</p>

<p>Or use it as an essay topic!</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

3

<p>Yes, I would mention it in the application (or an essay). Most applications provide room to explain special circumstances. </p>

<p>Assuming it is true, in the same section I would emphasize that you personally are a US citizen. In some colleges, that is important for admission.</p>

4

<p>I’d use your story as the main essay.</p>

5

<p>Be very careful if you choose to write an essay revolving around the circumstances. I admire your work ethic and think your story shows that anything is possible. With that said I think your essay should focus on the positive things you have learned from this experience, and how it has made you stronger. The only reason I say this is because I have read many “sob stories” online and would hate to see someone like you be turned down because your essay didn’t put the right message across. Good Luck!!</p>

6

<p>Could this help me into contention to the elite colleges and universities?</p>