How to Explain Drop in GPA during last semester of Junior year?

[navbiha]

<p>So, here's my background story:
--Freshman year I was in the top 25% of my class (horrible)
--Sophomore year I become top 13% of my class
--Junior year, first semester I am top 12% and have also started the IB Program, which is basically AP classes on steroids (7 classes)
--Junior year, second semester I think my rank may have dropped because I have 3 or 4 B's (some low some high) in core classes. </p>

<p>Now, how do I explain this to colleges? Escpecially to colleges like UT Austin, UC Berkeley, Stanford (I know I have no chance, but go with it), etc. Will my chances at being accepted into their schools grade-wsie be severely affected? </p>

<p>Also, one of my teacher two weeks for finals was arrested for sexually assaulting one girl in my class. Can I say that deeply impacted me? (i.e., will admissions buy it?)</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

[Gardna]

<p>You got a couple of Bs. Grow up and move on.</p>

[navbiha]

<p>Yeah but I'm applying to really competitive schools. So if if my grades get lower in the second semester, that's laziness, or lack of work, etc.</p>

[SOC2015]

<p>Like Gardna said, you got a few B's, get over it. There are greater tragedies in life. If need be, start looking at some other schools that accept GPA's in your range. Also, don't try that BS about writing how your teacher's arrest deeply affected you. Colleges will not buy it and I can pretty much guarantee that they will reject you for trying something like that.</p>

[glassesarechic]

<p>So basically your question is how much can you BS? </p>

<p>None. It'll sound like BS. Recalibrate your expectations.</p>

[aaron21]

<p>Agree with glasses,
You can't honestly believe that anyone can give you a BS excuse, and even if we did, expect it to fly. Colleges hear it everyday and pass it off. It is better not to draw attention to it and have a great start to senior year.</p>

[Ray192]

<p>That is a terrible, terrible excuse. A girl died in my high school died 3 weeks before finals, and none of her friends used that as an excuse (not that they needed to). If you can't even provide some good BS, do you really think you deserve to get into Stanford/Berkeley? Get over it.</p>