Should I write an optional essay to explain my decline in GPA?
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28 Dec 2015, 04:31
I wanted to get some advice on whether to fill out the Kellogg and Wharton optional essays to explain an undesirable trend in my GPA.
To give more details – I ended up with a good GPA overall at a top engineering school (3.7). However, the splits show a bad trend: Freshman – 3.95, Sophomore, - 3.89, Junior – 3.60, and Senior – 3.41. Included are one B- and two C+s (everything else was B+ or better). The reason for the drop represents a shift in focus from spending 75%+ of my time on school, to focusing on my extracurriculars (President of 2 reputable clubs) and personal growth. I realized that these factors would help me get my target job, not having a 4.0 vs. a 3.7. This was a bit short-sighted when it comes to grad school, and I am worried that it will make me look lazy.
I should also note that I have other credentials which show my ability to handle the MBA course load (high GMAT, work at top consulting firm).
So, I would love to get your advice on how to proceed. When thinking about explaining this issue explicitly in the optional essay, I think the pros and cons are the following:
Pros: Acknowledges that the grades aren’t up to my standards, gives SOME explanation for the drop (business schools may respect my reasons since they all have grade non-disclosure for similar reasons)
Cons: Is not really an “extenuating circumstance” (e.g. family illness), may shine light on my grades when they wouldn’t have cared otherwise
Am I thinking about this the right way? How would you proceed?