<p>So, I moved countries before I started 8th grade and ended up in a school with a terrible curriculum that actually put me almost a year behind in what I was supposed to be learning. My parents did not know at the time, since the school had a really good reputation in the country I am currently living in. So obviously I had to apply somewhere else. I didn't get accepted to the two top schools in my country since I lacked some of the basic knowledge I was supposed to have known. But I did get into the third one, a pretty good catholic school. However, after 9th grade my parents were looking at the seniors results on the IB exams and they did really bad. So, we wanted to apply to the other top schools, but there weren't any available places for my grade level. So I did 10th grade and after that, there were places, I applied and got accepted. If you're still reading this you're probably wondering how this applies to anything. Basically, the moving of countries affected me really negatively. I did pretty bad in 9th grade since I had been basically been put a year back, it isn't by GPA so it was roughly an 80%, so like a B-. Then in 10th grade I did improve, but not enough. However now, as a junior, Im doing IB and doing my best to get good grades. But I feel like when colleges especially USC since it's my dream school, look at my yoyo-ing grades and having been in 2 different HS, they'll think of me negatively. Also, the catholic school was very far from my house, so my parents didn't let me do extra-curriculars(they barely had any ECs at that school anyway) because they couldn't drive that far almost every day. Plus, when I moved countries my dad didn't move with us so that also affected me greatly. If I get involved and improve my grades will I still stand a chance? I do not live in the states, but I am a citizen. The school I'm currently in is much closer to my house and offers many more opportunities to get involved, and I am getting involved as much as I can with volunteer work, and sports, I recently won MVP in volleyball after just one season, I'm starting SAT tutoring, and doing everything vital for acceptance. Should I explain when applying why 9th and 10th were up and down regarding grades and no ECs?</p>
<p>Without a doubt; Definitely include supplementary information about your circumstances.</p>