<p>D has a 3.0 GPA and 30 ACT. Through high school there were a lot of moves, loss of house, stays in hotels, temporary apartments… a hostel, in addition to protracted custody/ divorce proceedings, financial and other hardship, plus caring for baby at father’s house.</p>
<p>EC’s - 6 years of music/vocal training/performing/concerts with well known chorus, writing course with Dave Eggars and 826 Valencia St. Wants to be a writer. Very artistic and creative. </p>
<p>She is a first gen/low income/mixed race kid growing up in three cultures - Father is a middle-east war refugee; mother was an immigrant from Europe, a teen mother who fled from violence. Lots of struggles all round then and now. </p>
<p>This girl is super-bright, a gifted writer and bright personality. We do not know where she should apply with the low GPA (and my limited knowledge of US colleges), esp. as she once had aspirations for some hard to get into colleges. (They all appear dashed now.) Are there any great colleges with writing and or music depts that she should consider - that might be a reach but first gen might help? </p>
<p>What should she focus on in essay? I said leave all the hardship out as they want to know about you and your passions. Is this correct? </p>
<p>Would love to get some help from parents who’ve been here. Would also like recommendations for essay writing tutors that do not charge an arm and a leg. This process is totally foreign to me, and daughter is not so motivated now, so I need to help her move forward.</p>
<p>She is a dual citizen of US and Britain so can consider anywhere in Europe too. We would need financial aid - but expect GPA impacts her chances of getting any. Her course of study through HS was IB</p>
<p>Thanks</p>