Can I **please** get more than one reply???

katliamom
Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:42:36 +0000

I agree with Fuzzy – you don’t have to go into detail nor do you need to make it the whole subject of your essay – but a mention of a tragedy in the immediate family in your fresh/soph year will explain your grades.

Also, keep in mind, many schools don’t pay that much attention to freshman year grades. I don’t know when your semester ends and when Howard (and other schools) have their application deadlines – but it COULD be possible for you to have your 1st semester/senior year grades by the time you submit your application. If not, you will have a pretty good idea – and if those grades are as stellar as your jr year, you should also mention that in your essay.

Bottom line, don’t despair. Your grades from jr/sr year are/will be outstanding. Your ECs rock. Your ACT score rocks. Take the SAT (prepare over the summer with books/online courses.) Work on your application with a counselor – or ask someone on the parents forum to help you out (many students do, you should too if feel you don’t have a good advisor.) Write a good essay. Make a major effort to interview with a Howard rep. Something tells me if you do all that… you’ll be a Howard freshman come fall '09.