<p>@Tactics</p>
<p>I understand your situation, as I struggled with depression, etc. and my grades suffered. If you have an upward trend in GPA, don’t lose hope. I have already been admitted to top schools after going through a terrible sophomore year. But he warned, there is a stigma on mental illness, and I would be wary of writing your personal essays on your situation. Maybe writing about growing up with a single parent is okay, but colleges don’t want to be responsible for someone who potentially could be a liability with their mental illness. I tried to write about my experiences and was met with significant opposition from my parents and guidance counselor. But in terms of your grades, as long as schools see you have rebounded from your struggles, you shouldn’t be completely off the table.</p>
<p>The only sure way not to be accepted at HYPSM is not to apply. BrownCabinets and others, if you feel you have Harvard-level ECs that would counterbalance slightly lower grades or scores, by all means apply and let the AdCom decide. Be sure your essays and recommendations highlight your strength and passion.</p>
<p>This really isn’t the most interesting situation ever. It’s a transparent “chance me” thread, and should have been titled as such.</p>
<p>Yes it’s possible.</p>
<p>The year before I came to high school (not in USA - aka international pool), someone got into both Harvard and MIT.</p>
<p>From how the teachers talked about him when I was in school, the guy didn’t really have the best grades (i.e. 70s - 80s), but spent most of his time doing research with this university professor, and i think he eventually won some national competition which probably gave him the edge into these elite schools.</p>
<p>Though in the end the guy didn’t even go, and he just went to the university where he was doing research and probably continued doing work with the same prof in college.</p>