<p>For all of my high school career, I've had fantastic grades. I have a 33 ACT and a 2380 SAT. I go to an elite boarding school in California. Everything was going seamlessly, I finished all of my college applications (Cornell, Brown, Yale, Duke, Emory, RPI, Rochester, Tufts), and I was happy.</p>
<p>During my first semester of senior year, my father just skedaddled; that is, he plain left my mother and I. My grades overall went down from a high A average to a low B, with a C+ in AP Chem. I'm taking a bunch of AP courses and have done as such for my entire high school career. </p>
<p>I've written a letter explaining my circumstances that I will send to colleges. However, I know that the first semester of senior year has a huge impact on regular decision. I'm worried, understandably, about how colleges will look at me now. Will the explanation make up for my drop in grades? Will it help a little? I guess I'm asking a simple question: am I at a disadvantage because of this?</p>
<p>No, you're not at a disadvantage at all. You have a reasonable explanation as to why your grades dropped. Colleges mainly use senior grades to make sure you don't go crazy with senioritis and to see that you're still dedicated. In your circumstance, it's not too much to worry about because of your explanation. Colleges will see that this is a one time occurrence and that the reason your grades dropped is because of extenuating circumstances and not because you slacked off. </p>
<p>However, there are a few things I would keep in mind. One, it would be best if your counselor wrote a letter to the colleges as well. I'm sure your story is valid, but some colleges might be leery if only the student made a note of it. Having a counselor write a quick letter helps to back you up.</p>
<p>Second, if you are writing a letter be very careful that you are explaining the reason and not so much writing an "excuse" letter. You have to be very careful with the tone of voice and way of wording things in the letter. Make sure you have others proofread the letter before you send it in.</p>
<p>Finally, while your first semester grades may be excused because of your situation, I wouldn't be surprised if the colleges would place some weight on your second semester grades. They'd be looking for some "proof" that you still are the student that you presented yourself as.</p>
<p>you are fine. I too have special circumstances. As long as your counselor validates it, then your grades will be "excused". Icestorm, second semester grades do not matter.. You will be in college by then. Second semester grades are there just to make sure you do not slack off.</p>
<p>I guess I should clarify myself a bit. What I meant by second semester grades is that after you have been accepted colleges will still look at them to make sure you are still a strong canidate. I know of a few students in my school who had their admission revoked from the University of Michigan last year because they went from being all A students to getting low C's in the last semester. Yes, I guess you could say that it was a drastic drop, and that it usually doesn't happen to many people, but nonetheless, it does happen to a few people now and then. Just keep your grades up and you'll have nothing to worry about. Best of luck!</p>