<p>I have a huge passion in environmental conservatism, and non profit organizations. It’s something I’ve also liked to do, and plan on doing for the rest of my life. However, near the end of my sophomore year (and this bled onto the first half of my junior year) I went through a series of personal, friend, and family problems. The diagnose of a loved one, financial difficultly, struggling to overcome depression, etc, etc. This was quite evident in my grades, but it also helped me change for the better.</p>
<p>I know personal statements are a important asset in college applications, but should I talk about my passion, or my struggles?</p>
<p>First off, a lot of people like to believe they didn’t do well because of circumstance when in reality they are responsible for their own failure. If you are going to explain poor grades with outside problems, make sure you are truly being honest. </p>
<p>That being said if your grades legitimately took a severe dip for a time because of personal problems but were good otherwise, I would DEFINATLEY explain that somewhere. It gives your track record a lot more context and shows that you are capable of operating at the level they are looking for, but had issues to overcome. Definitely emphasis how those experiences made you stronger moving forward.</p>
<p>If you have room I would try to finish by explaining your passions, especially if you are applying for a related program. If requirements force you to only talk about one topic, I’d choose the explanation of your struggles. Otherwise it just looks like you did poorly in high school because you weren’t capable.</p>
<p>Have you done things related to your passion.? You should talk passion. Under additional info discuss overcoming issue. Not too dramatic though.</p>