Ruhm wrote:
Hello Jon !
Thank you so much for taking the time to evaluate profiles and answer questions.
My question is specifically about how to talk about failure in my main cover/motivational letter. I am currently applying to MSc Management programs in Europe, and although I have a pretty strong profile, I failed college in my home country before graduating summa cum laude in math/economics at a decent college in the US. It clearly acted as a wake up call, and I am somewhat proud of how I turned my situation around and how I eventually did my best in undergrad. I do not know if I could get away with not mentioning it as I certainly do not want it to be a reason for them to turn me down - my top choice is in the same country as the program I failed so I assume it's only one database search away. Actually, I would love to make something positive out of it. Do you have any advice for somebody in my situation ?
Feel free to ask if there is any information I can add.
Thank you for the help
Ruhm
Hey Ruhm,
Well, I think maybe you started to answer your own question in your post (nice Octopus by the way!
). What I mean is that the explanation you give is exactly what you need to do. Yeah, you will need to elaborate further to explain why, t be self-critical, to SHOW what you learned through this mistake, but basically that is the best thing you can do (that, and PROVING with other facts (like your US grades) that you are in fact very clever).
I do so hope this helps,
Jon