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shaselai
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 18 Sep 2010, 12:41
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I got a 2.92 gpa... does that warrant an optional essay to explain things or i should leave it alone?

thanks
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Jeanette
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 18 Sep 2010, 13:10
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Is your GPA from a US institution? If so and you can actually say something that mitigates it, then it probably does. If you're just going to talk about how you were a screwoff when you were younger, then I'm not sure it really helps.
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shaselai
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 18 Sep 2010, 15:02
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well i was gonna talk about how i have improved after that incident. basically saying that incident opened my eyes and i tried to improve myself via working hard and getting advanced degree to show i am better than that. is this OK?
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ariel
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 18 Sep 2010, 18:03
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If this is on a scale of 4.0, I'd say you're borderline for an explanation. It will likely raise red flags, so do talk about it in the optional essay. The story of how you've changed might work (depending on what you can show them since - career progression, alternative transcript, etc) but it's a hard sell.
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 18 Sep 2010, 21:44
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i would never refer to it as an "incident" its 4 years of eh. Cant really just explain it away without proof. I agree with ariel - show them something, tell them its not indicative of your true potential with proof: GMAT and advanced degree.
lessing the impact of a 4 year UGPA can be done (check out ariels schools!) but its gonna have to be worded properly.
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shaselai
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 18 Sep 2010, 21:52
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ok i will focus on my gmat and grad school then. It cant be worse than not explaining it right?
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Dawgie
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 19 Sep 2010, 14:27
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Good luck, I think you will be able to explain it well!
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shaselai
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 19 Sep 2010, 14:54
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yeah i wish i couldve not studied premed :(
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jordanhendrix
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Do I need an optional essay to talk about my GPA? 19 Sep 2010, 17:09
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^^^for what its worth the rigor of your major will be taken into account. We all know a pre med 2.92 is not the same as 2.92 in lesser majors....like history lol