<p>I’ve had serious sleep problems since I was 7 years old [when my parents divorced]. I’m 16 and have just started seeing a therapist. At the end of this school year, I didn’t sleep all night for about 2 weeks, and instead slept during the day. My grade-level administrator and the school psychologist decided that it would be best for me to be exempt from my finals. I’ve had major familial, social and, as a result, academic issues for a while, which have grown more serious in the past 2 years.</p>
<p>Prior to the 7th grade, my familial and social issues obviously did not affect me as much as I was #1 in my grade all the way through 6th grade. </p>
<p>Even though I’ve been facing serious problems, I maintained a B+ average through my first 2 years of high school. It hurts like hell to not be getting straight A’s, which I, my parents, and teachers know I’m capable of but I’m proud of myself for managing to earn pretty good grades through such a tough time in my life.</p>
<p>I’m trying to get my problems straightened out this summer and I am switching to a private school next year. I believe that this will be very beneficial to me as I won’t have to see the boy that broke my heart and my old friends every day in the hallways. I really need to start fresh, where no one knows me or has preconceived notions of me. I am extremely motivated, determined (and extremely hard on myself) which is why I know that the next 2 years will be my best, academically.</p>
<p>Should colleges be aware of what I overcame? Do I still have a decent chance at top colleges with a B+ to B+ to A average coupled with great EC’s and standardized test scores? The issues I’ve been facing are kind of personal, but if you’d like to know what they are so that you can better answer my questions, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>One more question, which is a bit unrelated… My mother makes $35,000/yr (well, actually, she just lost her job.) Anyway, since my time is split b/w my dad’s and mom’s house, do I qualify as low income? We live in a small house in which half of the first floor is rented out to a tenant. </p>
<p>Thank you for taking the time to read this.</p>