<p>I am applying to my number one choice ED, and because of my grades last year, I am writing a special circumstances portion to submit suplementally to this college through the common app. Basically I had a lot to deal with last year. My father has been terminally ill for the past eight years with Kidney Failure and he survives by dialysis home treatments every day for four hours after work. I have a genetic disease of Polycystic Kidney Disease. My mother is sick as well, and she has suffered from severe clinical depression and anxiety issues almost her entire life. She has been institiutionalized three times since I was born. A few years ago she was institutionalized for twor months. Last year, my father was in the hospital from time to time, and nearly passed away. My stepmother also was hospitalized last year as well with pnemoneia ( i know i spelt that wrong), and she nearly passed away as well. So it has definitely been a tough experience for me, with trying to focus on my school work and not have to worry about the situations outside of school. It was also hard last year, because my mother had constant death threats that she was going to kill my father and stepmother (I know this sounds exaggerated or unrealistic, however I am completley telling the truth). Last year my grades suffered dramatically. I went from getting A's and B's in honors classes, to getting a C in AP World History Last year, and also a "D" in honors chemistry and "D" in British Literature (I had that course for a half a year). So clearly I need to explain myself from last year. Basically everything came to a boil and I was so stressed out that I nearly gave up. Now, however, although my parents are still sick, and I still have things to deal with, I have grown so much from last year. I am taking all honors (No AP's this year do to scheduling conflicts which I am explaining to the colege as wekk), and I have A's, A's and my lowest grade is B+. I am trying to prove that I am capable of suceeding and that I have grown so much from last year. My GPA from 9th to 11th grade is 3.5 out of 5.0 and my class rank is 190 out of 349. (This is an AWFUL rank, however I go to the 25th best public high school in my state, and 117 kids have over a 4.0, so my grade is full of overachievers). I am also one of the only african american students at my high school. My extra-curricular list throughout high school is very very involved (especially more in 9th and 10th grade, and this year). Do you think that my grades will be looked down upon from last year if I explain my situation to college? My grades have improved DRAMATICALLY since last year. My guidance counselor is also explaining my situation, and so is my teacher who is writing my rec. I am applying to a top 15 school ED.</p>
<p>I’m not an expert in this kind of thing, but in my opion, I think if you explain your situation without trying to make excuses you should be okay. Its going to be very tough, and I think that if you do get in you’ll definitely have to keep your grades up. But, with a few lucky breaks who knows, right? Plus, colleges look at upward trends and hard work. What you went through was a lot for anyone to bear and to come out of it all so strong is definitely something colleges will take note of. Good luck!</p>
<p>Your GC should also make sure to state that you had an unusually difficult personal homelife.</p>
<p>Short-- your explanation need to be about 1/4 the amount you wrote in your post.</p>
<p>To the point. If you had any role in time spent at hospitals or in either parent’s care, say so.</p>
<p>Colleges will definitely take all of this into consideration in your application, just make sure not to convey it as a sort of “pity” confessional. However, these facts alone will not get you in.</p>
<p>Your GC should mention this in her rec, and you should take advantage of the Additional Information session on the Common App to concisely explain the situation.</p>
<p>Thank you, I will definitely make it short and to the point. However, will this possibly make up for my low class rank? Also, I have been emailing my admissions counselor who will read my app proabably about 8 times periodically with questions and such. So now she basically knows who I am. I have done a campus tour and information session, and I have shown how much this is my number one. Do you think this will help?</p>