<p>I’m feeling completely screwed by circumstance right now. Part of me feels like these things are important to let admissions know, but I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining. I was thinking of attaching some kind of explanation to my midyear report or having my guidance counselor write something extra. Do you think it’s necessary to explain all or some of the following things? </p>
<li><p>My AP US government and COMP government teacher left his position to take on the role of principal, so our AP US gov. class was taught by various substitutes until (after about 1.5 months of an essentially a free period) a new, inexperienced teacher took over. He struggled through the material and tried to make up for lost time. Now, apparently there “isn’t enough interest” in AP comparative government, so that class is no longer being offered for second semester. (I want to go into politics/international relations).</p></li>
<li><p>The National Honors Society advisor left her position because my school cut stipends so it is even more inactive than usual. No meetings, no elections, no NHS president or leadership positions, no fund-raising, nothing. </p></li>
<li><p>My school does not have a debate team and I worked very hard to get one started. I got it passed by the principal and asked many teachers to be advisors, but there was no interest among staff or the student body. </p></li>
<li><p>AP and honors courses are weighted the same. Maybe this is true everywhere, I don’t know. But it seems unfair because I’m taking more AP’s than anyone in my class (everything that my school offers) and its weighted the same way as if I were simply taking honors. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>There are more things, but here’s a start. I’m afraid of whining, but I feel like some of these are legitimate concerns. What should I do?</p>
<p>I think the first 3 are definitely legimitate concerns. Maybe not the 4th. My school doesn't weight AP or IB or honors any differently...so if I had gotten a 100 in Honors Food and Nutrition (basically, make cookies class) then I would get the same credit as my 100 in AP/IB Biology 2. </p>
<p>I would have your counselor explain the situations. Then it won't seem like you are whining. Write an eloquent letter explaining your frustrations/concerns and give it to your counselor, in addition to requesting a little "meeting" of sorts. If you explain your situation (which encompasses valid points), your GC SHOULD be more than willing to help "pass the info" along to Harvard.</p>
<p>if your school is different from a typical public high school, you should have asked your counselor to attach an explanation of your school (this is what i did). As for individual circumstances (class being cancelled, weighing system, etc.) if it really concerns you and has had a profoundly negative effect on your education quality, then you should have your counselor write something about that in your mid-year.
But you have to be careful in what you include. You have to realize that you can't try to explain away every little aspect of your education that is less than perfect. It may sound like you're making excuses and adcoms don't like that.</p>
<p>I don't feel like most of these are really legitimate concerns (the first one is to an extent- you should see if your GC can send them a note explaining the circumstances). In particular, you shouldn't worry about the classes not being weighted. My high school didn't even weight classes at all- remedial, regular, honors and AP courses were all counted equally. Don't worry, the adcoms know how to read a transcript- you don't have to second-guess them and worry about whether they'll understand.</p>
<p>I don't think these factors would make or break your admission. I highly doubt that these types of things (OMG I couldn't take AP class I suck now). Just relax dude.</p>
<p>I'd say number one is the only legit complaint. Send a note explaining why you are not taking government for a second semester so they do not think that you simply dropped it.</p>
<p>The others, they are tough situations, but I agree with everyone else, dont contact Harvard about them.</p>