Special Circumstances

<p>So I’m a junior, going to be a senior in HS in the fall.</p>

<p>SAT Scores: 780 math, 660 reading, 730 writing, 10 essay (I’m taking SAT class over the summer to try to get the reading and essay up).</p>

<p>I took 6 AP classes this year (Euro, Calc AB, Spanish Lang, English Lang, Physics C Mech, Comp Sci A), and one last year (US History-got an A).</p>

<p>I’m expecting good AP Exam scores (mostly 5’s), and I got a 5 on my US History Test last year.</p>

<p>I played Tennis, and am president of a few clubs (though more like clubs that I joined because of serious interest, eg. Physics Club, Scholars Bowl…).</p>

<p>I can get good recommendations.</p>

<p>For my first semester, I got grades that I was happy with (A in Physics C, A in Euro History, and A- in English Lang).</p>

<p>The thing is that, in my second semester, I had AP Calc AB, AP Spanish Language, and AP Comp Sci A.</p>

<p>I’m getting an A in AP Calc (and I’m applying for engineering/economics), but I will be getting an A- in Spanish Language, and probably a B+ or A- in Comp Sci A.</p>

<p>However, in the beginning of May, during my AP Exams, I had a seizure, which caused me to miss significant time due to medical tests, hospital stay, being sick, and overall stress. I also wasn’t entirely focused on school the entire time-before the seizure (AP Exam stress), and after the seizure because of dealing with all the medical issues- thus my grades for the second half took a slight drop.</p>

<p>While I’m not bawling my eyes out over a B+ and an A-, I am interested in applying to MIT, Northwestern, Cal Berkeley, Johns Hopkins, Rice, Stanford, Cornell, etc.</p>

<p>So my questions are:</p>

<p>A. Do those two grades significantly alter my chances?</p>

<p>B. I’ve seen on some applications a place to write in special circumstances. Would my circumstance change the outlook of the admissions officers on my consideration?</p>

<p>Thanks for your advice!</p>

<p>Also to add, my grades from 9th and 10th grades are nearly flawless (A- in Honors English 10, Debate)…</p>

<p>My thoughts:</p>

<p>

Probably not.</p>

<p>

Probably not. If you feel compelled to say something, keep it simple. Something like “I suffered a prolonged illness in 11th grade. In spite of this I maintained a very high GPA. I have made a full recovery. (if true)”</p>

<p>^^ Agreed, don’t make it very long and don’t make excuses. If you can just mention it and how you have overcome the problem. Also, maybe get your guidance counselor to write it in his or hers recommendation. If you do include an explination, make it short and an explination.</p>