Unusual/adverse circumstances!! HELP!!!

<p>I'm a high school junior, and before the start of my sophomore year my father was diagnosed with a deadly illness. In addition, my brother suffers from ADHD which causes him to be overly violent, and in the spring of 2010 had to be sent to a specialized boarding school. Furthermore, my parents and I were separated for 6 months of my junior year as my father was receiving medical treatment out of state.</p>

<p>Typically, I am an A student. However, given the circumstances, my grades have drastically fallen in Math and Science (C+ sophomore year, B- Junior year in algebra 2 and pre-calc respectively; C- Chem AP Junior year). I have no natural talent at math or science and have worked extremely hard at both to achieve top marks (A) in normal circumstances. Since my parents' return, I have had an A in Pre-calc, and an A in Chemistry (dropped AP to salvage my GPA).</p>

<p>I am getting increasingly worried about college admissions due to my poor GPA (3.717), and was wondering how adcoms would view my grades given the circumstances.</p>

<p>I got a 29 on the ACT the night after I broke my wrist (in the ER till 3:30 w/ 15mg of morphine in my system).</p>

<p>Lol only on CollegeConfidential is a GPA of 3.717 considered poor, haha.</p>

<p>But given your circumstances, the drop in grades is extremely understandable. Definitely let them know what happened, and maybe write an essay about it?</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice.
Any advice on going about the essay?</p>

<p>If, as I assume, you plan to apply to ivies, the lower gpa should be understandable after it is explained. But consider retaking the ACT w/o morphine next time lol.</p>

<p>Yeah I’m thinking of applying to Columbia ED and Princeton EA. And also Michigan EA (target).</p>

<p>Haha yeah I retook it yesterday and I felt like it went a lot better. I only took it on pain medications because I didn’t want to have it to take it again next year (it’s a state-testing required for graduation).</p>