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For those who have written an addendum, do you believe it helped with the weaker parts of your application?

Last Fall, I took a Latin course and made an A. The following term I continued studying Latin, but made a D. I was excelling in the course initially, but found myself unable to attend classes or do the assignments after being sexually assaulted by a peer who was in the same class towards the end of the semester.

I firmly believe that the latter grade does not reflect my academic ability, but the circumstances that I described. How should I express that to an admissions committee without sounding like a victim?

This is extremely serious. Can you petition to have that class struck from your record? I cannot think of a situation more deserving of that than this. The school failed to provide you with a safe environment for that class. Perhaps get some advocacy groups on your side.

There is no way you can write an addendum without looking like a victim (because you were). Ideally, you can be in a position where that will not be necessary.

I have spoken with my academic advisor about the situation, and he advises that I start a Title IX investigation against my assailiant. As far as my grade, there is nothing he can do as Columbia's policies are set.

The situation just sucks.