<p>Hi guys, High School junior here.
I know this might be viewed as planning a little bit too far ahead, but I'm already thinking about college and I want to apply to several top 25 schools. My SAT is a 2200, I'm probably going to end up with a 3.7 UW/4.2 W, I've been on the swim team for 4 years, varsity for 3, and I've been actively involved in several clubs, internships, and charity work, but my application just has 2 problems. First, my mother lost her battle with cancer late in the summer right before my junior year. This loss crushed me and you can see it in my grades. I slipped from an all A student freshman year (with a slew of honors classes) to an almost all B student sophomore year (with a very similar workload). I started picking things up again junior year, and have all As except for a B- in AP Chem lab and a C+ in AP Chem lecture. I'm taking an all honors course load and am succeeding in every class except my chemistry ones. I don't plan on majoring in anything having to do with chemistry, but I'm afraid my C+ might keep top schools (like Northwestern, UCLA, Notre Dame, UNC, or Michigan) from accepting me. Is this fear warranted? Thanks for any and all responses :)</p>
<p>Although this may not be the most politically correct thing to say, you can take the ordeal that you went through and use it to your advantage. Use it in your essays (and in the section of the app where they ask you to explain any extenuating circumstances) to show that you’re the kind of person that will not be taken down by immense difficulty.</p>
<p>Your stats are strong, and your ECs are legit. Keep up the good work.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your reply, Handle. I was planning on writing my essays about my struggles with the event, and was hoping to tie in how difficult it was for me to focus on school with so much going on (when it comes down to studying for an AP Euro test or staying up till 1 AM talking to my 11 year old brother who’s having suicidal thoughts, I think there’s really only one right decision, and I think most people would feel the same way.) I hope colleges think the same way you do.</p>
<p>I think that if you’re asked to justify or explain that C+ or B-, you have a legitimate explanation to give, and the loss of your mother is an event of such magnitude that I cannot imagine a to 25 school dismissing you for it. </p>
<p>I think you’ll do great. Good luck.</p>
<p>While you do have a veritable excuse (and possible essay topic) I’m afraid that your grades may still adversely affect you. Your SATs and ec’s also aren’t anything extraordinary. That being said, I’d say you still have a chance at some of the schools you’re looking at, especially UCLA.</p>
<p>Best of luck!</p>
<p>Chance me:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1409730-chance-me-top-schools-thanks.html[/URL]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1409730-chance-me-top-schools-thanks.html</a></p>