melin720

Okay, so colleges do take into account why one suffered lower grades.

So what's a legit reason for insufficient GPA?

The one I see the most often, I think, is language problem. One comes to US like, say, in 6th grade, spends the next three years learning english and then going into high school with a very weak middle school backgaround. Even then, he only has 3 years while competing with others who were here their whole life.

And then there are family problems.

Learning disabilities.

Some kind of disease or syndrome or mental illness.

How do admissions officers look at these? I mean, if his GPA isn't good enough then regardless of his grades they won't take him would they, because it would hurt their record?

But then I guess those are the minority so they don't mind. They like "overcame challenge" applicants right?

mmmaythe

I'm not so sure about people with disabilities, but regarding the language...

Personally, I came to Canada in grade six.

No offence, but I think you're kind of underestimating people who are determined to make their lives better by trying 2x, 3x harder than others.
Not to show off or anything, but I learned to speak fluent English in less than a year. It came with practice and practice and more practice.
Three years = long time. Perhaps longer than it seems.
If one actually tries, language barriers can be overcome without too much difficulty.

melin720

Where did you go to Canada from?

Yeah, fewer than 1 year is very impressive. I, however, am very stupid so I couldn't do it in fewer than a year. It just wasn't possible for me.

mmmaythe

South Korea

Well maybe it was 'cause I like languages. I don't know.

However, I think it really depends on how much effort you put into learning the language. English isn't a hard language compared to other languages... especially French or German.

AND DON'T CALL YOURSELF STUPID D: