<p>My transcript currently indicates this. Freshman/sophomore year I pulled 91/92 average. Junior year I actually tried, and pulled a 98 average. However, only senior year did I take any APs, two.</p>
<p>The reason being is at the end of sophomore year, like many students have had happen, I began to mature and take school more seriously. Unfortunately, at that point my freshman and sophomore grades were truly sub-par. In addition, I couldnt take any APs junior year because those classes are applied for mid-sophomore year, and at the time I didnt want to challenge myself.</p>
<p>Will colleges consider this just me making up excuses? I dont want to seem like Im just making up excuses for "poor" grades. Hopefully they can see Im telling the truth, and that my more recent grades reflect the student I am.</p>
<p>I don’t think those are necessary to explain :). The reader would expect that your grade rise is the result of you pulling yourself together after sophomore year. </p>
<p>This is something that you should consult your guidance counselor about, IMO, especially if there were some issues with family, adjustment, etc early on in high school that might’ve prevented you from doing your best. It’ll help your counselor get to know you better, and perhaps even include some of this information in her/his recommendation letter, which is much more fitting than you trying to explain yourself.</p>
<p>“I dont want to seem like Im just making up excuses for “poor” grades. Hopefully they can see Im telling the truth, and that my more recent grades reflect the student I am.”</p>
<p>Since this is the truth:</p>
<p>"…at the time I didnt want to challenge myself."</p>
<p>I would not include this as additional information. It will hurt you. Why not let your transcript speak for itself?</p>