<p>My instinct re: using the essay to explain the GPA versus using it to articulate his passion for writing is the latter, so he doesn’t sound as though he’s whining.</p>
<p>There are also 2 approaches to writing about the importance of writing to his personal fabric. One is to describe it directly; the other is to have it expressed through the quality of the writing itself. I think I’d encourage him to describe a situation in which he responded as a writer, in which he chose writing (from among other possible choices or activities) to express himself at a crucial moment. If that makes any sense. </p>
<p>If that’s too hard, just fall back upon the more direct: why I love to write, all the things I’ve done/choices I’ve made that prove I love to write (Iowa, etc), what my dreams are as a writer, how your college’s program will help me realize that, etc.</p>
<p>He could acknowledge the GPA problem in a sentence, or perhaps short answer. They often ask you to add “anything the committee needs to know to better understand your application” and that might be the time to acknowledge the elephant in the room. I’ve heard Adcoms (admission officers) write here that they don’t expect applicants to be perfect, and glean a lot from seeeing how they address their weakness. </p>
<p>My S is a writer who was accepted into a screenwriting program in a private California university, despite very noticeable weaknesses in Math and Science, both on his transcript and SAT scores. He was what they call a “gappy” applicant; very strong in English and History. It’s a known breed among AdComs. </p>
<p>I say, go for his strengths but find a brief moment to own up to recognizing the weak moments in his GPA. The Adcoms will see it. Their biggest concern seems to be this kind of gap: the super-high SAT scores (north of 750) coupled with blah GPA’s, which makes them worry that it’s an underachiever or lazybones. OR, the stratospheric GPA with good-not-great SAT scores, which might indicate someone who overworks in class, lacks intellectual creativity and sparkle. I get the impression that the second type has more opportunities in more places than the first type, but still the first type does find their right home with effort. You’re putting the right emphasis by looking for some unuusal places to apply, since you can’t change the kid and wouldn’t want to.</p>
<p>DITTO on the PORTFOLIO. My S got in everywhere they asked for a portfolio (except NYU) and nowhere that wouldn’t take one as part of their app. But don’t eliminate the non-portfolio schools from your list! My S also probably fell down with some schools because he skipped 11th grade so was trying to gain entry a year young. Who knows? It all did work out happily. He got in to 2 places, waitlisted at 1, rejected at 5. Right now he’s in freshman heaven at his new college.</p>
<p>Your S is probably very scared right now (you indicated writer’s block) so try hard to be a non-anxious presence in his life. If he’s a writer, he’s already got enough sensitivity for 3 people and it’s hard. Not a bad time for the Mom rah-rah, you can do this speeches. Don’t worry too much in his presence. This will work out, as long as you come up with an appropriate range of places to apply, and that’s what you’re doing.</p>
<p>He might be wise to push up to applying to at least 6 places, My son’s limit was 8 and remember that the portfolio takes more time than the app. I got him to arrange for some advice from his best English teacher on what to include in the portfolio from among all his writings, since the teacher may have a good, objective view for what’s the best of the stories.</p>