<p>I want to write my essays on how certain EC's impacted my life, but something has happened my junior year that seriously impacted my grades. </p>
<p>This is not a troll post.</p>
<p>I'm normally a straight "A" AP student, but I've gotten a few B's my junior year because of family issues. My family closeness has fallen apart and I've gotten a lot of hate from them recently because of my strong focus on school work (none of my family is big on school). I've been so upset for months that I've gotten sick and extremely tired and my anxiety levels have spiked. My concentration and productivity dropped in response. So as a result, I lost my perfect GPA and no one understands when I try to tell them my story. Because there's "no excuse" not to have the A's I've been getting my whole life.</p>
<p>Can you try to get your guidance counselor to explain the situation in his/her recommendation letter?</p>
<p>And if not, don’t try to make an excuse for the grades in your essay. Write your essay about an EC if that is what will help your personality come through. Mention the family problem on an individual attachment to the application; don’t try to explain it with your essay.</p>
<p>Here’s the thing: Unless you were professionally diagnosed with depression or some other medical response to your family situation, colleges are unlikely to be sympathetic. However, that doesn’t mean that they won’t accept you because of a few B’s your junior year, when the academic pace picks up anyway. </p>
<p>Still, you might mention it to your GC. S/he might be able to comment on your family issues briefly in his/her rec.</p>