How To Explain A Bad Grade In College Admissions

Sometimes bad grades come without a particularly useful explanation; they are simply the result of a failure to work at the appropriate level for the course you’re taking. But some bad grades are the result of situations beyond your control. In those instances, it’s worth it for high schoolers to provide college admissions committees some context for what exactly happened.

Maladies or Other Ailments

In the case of illness or surgery, you should address this situation; do not allow your application to suffer without giving the appropriate context. For example, illnesses such a mononucleosis can make it difficult for even the most diligent students to keep their grades at their normal level, as can surgery for significant injuries or illnesses. If you have poor grades one semester as a result of an illness, let the admissions committee know.

Uncontrollable Circumstances

An extreme change in your living situation that has made it difficult for you to perform in school is also a reasonable explanation for poor grades. For example, a serious illness or death in your family might lead to increased responsibilities at home and substantial emotional turmoil, the combination of which will almost certainly impact your academics. Similarly, sudden financial changes in your family might require that you work after school (or increase your work hours if you already have a job), which could also impact your grades.

How to Approach the Admissions Committee

How do you communicate this context to the admissions committee? You write what is called an addendum to your application. Do not use the main college essay to address this issue. There is a portion of the Common Application where you can inform colleges of “Anything else you want us to know.” This is where you should provide any necessary context for poor grades.

Please be aware that if a bad grade is simply the result of a lack of effort on your part, you shouldn’t just make something up in order to explain it away. College Admissions officers can tell from a mile away if you’re making things up. This is not the time to play games and put your college acceptance in jeopardy.

One last thought: If you wind up in the dreaded situation of a personality conflict with a teacher, and that conflict leads to a poor grade (despite your best efforts), there isn’t much that can be done. If this teacher’s reputation is known to your college counselor, you may want to see if there’s any way it can be addressed in your counselor’s write up as part of your application. But you will probably just have to grin and bear it.

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