Applying to MIT with a Rough Freshman Year – Looking for Advice

How should I address a significant freshman-year GPA dip in my MIT application?

Hi everyone! I'm applying to MIT this fall and was hoping for some advice about the Additional Information section.

I had a very difficult freshman year due to mental health struggles and harassment at school, and my grades suffered significantly as a result. Since then, I've earned essentially a 4.0 while taking a much more rigorous course load, and my academic profile is otherwise much stronger.

I'm struggling with how to address this in my application. I don't want to ignore it, but I also don't want to sound like I'm making excuses or asking for sympathy.

For those who have applied to or been admitted to MIT, how much detail would you recommend including? Is it better to simply explain the circumstances and move on, or should I focus more on what changed and how I grew from the experience?

I'd also appreciate any advice on whether this kind of context is better addressed in the Additional Information section rather than in an essay.

Thanks!