How much consideration given to major accident which impacted grades in 9th and 10th grades?

[Anonymous]

DD is a junior whose grades were impacted by a life threatening accident that impacted grades in both 9th and 10th grades. She had to be airlifted to a hospital and spent 2 years recovering, spending one full year on a bed. She was under heavy medication and constantly in pain the whole of 9th grade. She attended school virtually that whole year.

Her GPA is 3.3 at end of 10th grade and in junior year she is getting 4.0 so far and seems to be able to keep that up this year. If that is the case she would end up with a GPA of 3.5. Interested in business.

She is an average student and not a great test taker.

Do colleges consider her accident? Could anyone suggest a few colleges where she has a reasonable chance to get in? Want something mid to big size school. Urban or college town is not much of a factor. Anywhere in US is fine. Budget of about $250k for 4 years.

She is an extreme extrovert, very friendly, always organizes events and gets a bunch of students to participate in neighborhood clean ups and that sort of activities. But otherwise does not have any organized extra curriculars.

[Anonymous]

Why didn’t the high school consider her situation?

[Anonymous]

Thought they only look at junior year gpa and perhaps first semester of senior year

[Anonymous]

Yes, they will take circumstances into consideration. If she doesn’t write her main essay about the experience, she can mention it in the “more info” or “challenges” sections.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they will take circumstances into consideration. If she doesn’t write her main essay about the experience, she can mention it in the “more info” or “challenges” sections.

This. This is one of the few situations where it may make sense to use the extra information section.

[Anonymous]

Maybe she should go to community college and then transfer to a 4 yr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe she should go to community college and then transfer to a 4 yr.

There’s no need for that. A 3.3 isn’t even a bad gpa, and under the circumstances, it’s great.

OP, she’ll have lots of options.

[Anonymous]

She will have choices.

I would suggest she draft a careful set of sentences about this extenuating life hardship that can paste into the "anything else" question section. And share that with any recommenders and her counselor.

In Michigan, there is a consortium of decent universities that produce quite a lot of solid performers that agree to take any Michigan student with a 3.0 or above. Just giving this as an example of a forgiving climate below the top tier. https://maap.org/

A 3.5 is good at a lot of schools. Do try to find a school likely to spark her intellectual curiosity. That might mean a smaller school where faculty recognize students in class and there is lots of classroom participation. I think big schools can be boring for less involved students.

[Anonymous]

Oh poor thing! I'm so glad she survived and so glad she's doing better.

I would get a letter written by the main doctor who oversaw her recovery.

I would dedicate one essay to that life-changing event, the things she learned, and how she applied those lessons to her new lease on life. Pain is a very powerful experience and it can impact positively many character traits. It's hard to talk about something so intimate, but she should not shy away from it. She's been very brave. People should know this.

[Anonymous]

the selective schools put more emphasis on 11th grade followed by 10th and some even drop 9th. And for RD the first part of 12th is considered.

Agreed with: 22:11 make sure to mention it in the essays.

GPA and SAT are the biggest factors. So make sure the SAT portion is good.

As per college - you should also post the SAT score and number of APs taken.

[Anonymous]

PP. Also look at branch campuses that transfer to main universities such as Pitt Johnstown and the PSU system. Or the UVA Wise setup. In case you think her interests and academic skills will continue to strengthen.

[Anonymous]

My kids have lower GPAs and no tragedy and attend great schools. Do not put too much stock in what you read here. Talk to the actual admissions people at the schools she is interested in. They are real people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids have lower GPAs and no tragedy and attend great schools. Do not put too much stock in what you read here. Talk to the actual admissions people at the schools she is interested in. They are real people.

DP. Agreed. Maybe it would be confidence building for you two to go to a college fair together and browse for possibilities.

[Anonymous]

Mention it in the essays. Though I think that given it is September 16, you are being a bit presumptuous regarding grades for this year. But I hope she is able to keep that up.

A lot will also depend on test scores so it is hard to give much direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mention it in the essays. Though I think that given it is September 16, you are being a bit presumptuous regarding grades for this year. But I hope she is able to keep that up.

A lot will also depend on test scores so it is hard to give much direction.

AOs will consider it as a sob story. Just put it in the additional information section. But expect AOs to discount the excuse to some extent.