Before first semester senior year, I had a 3.9 uw 4.6 w gpa with a 2360 sat and 5s on numerous APs with great extracurriculars (medical research and publication)
However, family issues and a lot of stress (dad lost his job, I had to work two part times, grandfather died, etc etc) brought down my first semester grades a ton and I think I’m ending this year with 4 Bs and 3 As. I’m applying to schools like USC, Yale, Northwestern, Rice, etc. and I’m really depressed because I have a feeling my first semester grades spell rejection.
Is there any way I can send a letter to the colleges I’m applying to to explain my bad grades?
My suggestion would be to use the Common Application “additional information” section. My grades dropped last semester, and that is what I am doing. I would also have your counselor bring it up in their letter, just so it sounds like you have some credibility. If you do submit anything extra, I would recommend (and heard this from my GC as well) making sure that you focus on the positive things that you learned from your tough experiences, rather than making them into excuses, not that you were trying to do that anyway.
OP, I’m in a similar situation as well. My GC suggested me to write something short in my additional information (facts only and only explain, don’t justify) and she would write a letter to my colleges as well.
Bro, working 2 part time jobs and having other family issues will be understood by the colleges. Mention it in additional information, or in your essays and it should be alright!
Ask your GC to also explain and verify the extenuating circumstances you have experienced and what you are doing to remedy your falling grades. Hang in there.
Make sure to apply to good and affordable safety schools. You might have to appeal any financial aid award if your parents’ FAFSA base year income is no longer reflective of their expected income for 2016. Learn also about Expected Student Contribution.