<p>So, my parents got divorced between sophomore and junior years, and my grades were affected majorly due to the new type of lifestyle I had to live in. I literally had an hour talk with my guidance counselor about it, and she is going to mention it in her letter, stating how it affected me at first, but ultimately taught me responsibility and such. But, I was wondering if I should include this on my common application or not? Will it make me sound desperate and easy to upset? Or will it actually help me by providing an explanation for my lower grades during the time? My SATs and ECs are a lot better, so my gpa looks off balance compared to them (about 3.7 during non-divorce times, 3.4 during divorce problems). Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. By the way, I am applying early to Cornell if that affects any decisions.</p>
<p>In general, it's best if these kind of things are handled by the GC so students can focus their applications on their strengths. If, though, you decide to include it, better to include it as an extra essay, not as one of your main ones. Focus on the lessons the experience taught you, not the heartbreak of the experience.</p>
<p>It might be alright to mention it in your app but I wouldn't make it into something huge, because your counselor is already heavily mentioning it.</p>
<p>My mom has Multiple Sclerosis and I'm pretty sure my counselor is writing about it a bit in her rec as a source of my less-than-stellar grades, but I still mentioned it in my supplement essay because her diagnosis was sort of the factor that unlocked my passion for what I intend to major in. If it did something beneficial, like you were able to sublimate your issues then into something great, then maybe you could mention it a bit more.</p>
<p>So, are you all suggesting that I completely omit it from the Common Application/include it in an extra essay? Or do you feel that it is sufficient what the guidance counselor is putting in her letter? I am split because if I include it, it almost sounds like I'm begging for help, but if I don't, it would seem like I just slacked during the bad times.</p>