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Should I write the optional Essay

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AWalsh599
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Should I write the optional Essay [#permalink] New post   15 Jan 2018, 15:58
Should I write the optional essay to explain a DOWNRIGHT awful last semester GPA. Below are my stats:

1. GMAT = 720(48Q, 41V)
2. Boston College, GPA 3.0 on the dot, Economics Major and History Minor
3. Job Experience: 2.5 Years at Top Boutique consulting firm focusing on consulting E&P companies.
4. List of Schools I have applied to: Darden, Mccombs, Mcdonough, Keenan Flagler, Tepper, Owen.

So all my applications are in and I reached out to each school saying I was really struggling with if I should write the optional essay. They all responded that if you believe you have something else to add to your application they would love to hear it. So long story short see below for my break down of my GPA per semester:

Fall 2011:
2.866(Received a D in Statistics)

Spring 2012:
3.188

Fall 2012:
2.975

Spring 2013:
3.55

Fall 2013:
Study Abroad at Saint Andrews. Grades did not transfer but credits did (A-, B+, B+,B-, C+)

Spring 2014:
3.34

Fall 2014:
3.22

Spring 2015:
1.864 (This included a D+ in Financial Economics, a C in Environmental Economics, and a C- in Public Finance)

Overall my GPA, is low but not abysmal in my mind but that last semester is just BRUTAL. To be totally honest it was a mixture of a few things:
1. My grandmother was dying(All 3 of my other grandparents had passed away and my dad passed away when I was 3)
2. I became totally obsessed with investing and focused more on this than academics, started my own investing blog, just fell in love with it.
3. My mom shattered the bottom 3 bones of her spine and was confined to a bed for 3 months and a walked for 6 months. Thank god 3 years later she has been able to return to normal activity although at times with pain.
4. I just went out to much, was not mature enough, and did not understand the long term consequences a terrible semester like this could have.


PLEASE SOMEONE RESPOND...
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AWalsh599
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Re: Should I write the optional Essay [#permalink] New post   15 Jan 2018, 21:10
.........
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Should I write the optional Essay [#permalink] New post   15 Jan 2018, 22:03
AWalsh599 wrote:
Should I write the optional essay to explain a DOWNRIGHT awful last semester GPA. Below are my stats:

1. GMAT = 720(48Q, 41V)
2. Boston College, GPA 3.0 on the dot, Economics Major and History Minor
3. Job Experience: 2.5 Years at Top Boutique consulting firm focusing on consulting E&P companies.
4. List of Schools I have applied to: Darden, Mccombs, Mcdonough, Keenan Flagler, Tepper, Owen.

So all my applications are in and I reached out to each school saying I was really struggling with if I should write the optional essay. They all responded that if you believe you have something else to add to your application they would love to hear it. So long story short see below for my break down of my GPA per semester:

Fall 2011:
2.866(Received a D in Statistics)

Spring 2012:
3.188

Fall 2012:
2.975

Spring 2013:
3.55

Fall 2013:
Study Abroad at Saint Andrews. Grades did not transfer but credits did (A-, B+, B+,B-, C+)

Spring 2014:
3.34

Fall 2014:
3.22

Spring 2015:
1.864 (This included a D+ in Financial Economics, a C in Environmental Economics, and a C- in Public Finance)

Overall my GPA, is low but not abysmal in my mind but that last semester is just BRUTAL. To be totally honest it was a mixture of a few things:
1. My grandmother was dying(All 3 of my other grandparents had passed away and my dad passed away when I was 3)
2. I became totally obsessed with investing and focused more on this than academics, started my own investing blog, just fell in love with it.
3. My mom shattered the bottom 3 bones of her spine and was confined to a bed for 3 months and a walked for 6 months. Thank god 3 years later she has been able to return to normal activity although at times with pain.
4. I just went out to much, was not mature enough, and did not understand the long term consequences a terrible semester like this could have.


PLEASE SOMEONE RESPOND...


AWalsh599,
Several important issues raised.
1) Generally, no Ad Com likes excuses. As long as you can pose your "reasons" as sound justifications (Even those do not redeem you, but with a well written essay, you can use it to show other achievements - not those already mentioned - and really turn this into your strength), you should write the optional part
2) Specifically, D in stats is not good. An additional course in Quant to show your capability will help you a lot.
3) Assuming an average strength application, and strong goals, you have somewhat of a chance in Tepper, and a very weak chance with Mcdonough & Owen.

I strongly suggest to not hope too much out of this time. Instead, start looking up good consultants and apply to safer schools as well.
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Re: Should I write the optional Essay [#permalink] New post   16 Jan 2018, 05:31
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AWalsh599 wrote:
Should I write the optional essay to explain a DOWNRIGHT awful last semester GPA. Below are my stats:

1. GMAT = 720(48Q, 41V)
2. Boston College, GPA 3.0 on the dot, Economics Major and History Minor
3. Job Experience: 2.5 Years at Top Boutique consulting firm focusing on consulting E&P companies.
4. List of Schools I have applied to: Darden, Mccombs, Mcdonough, Keenan Flagler, Tepper, Owen.

So all my applications are in and I reached out to each school saying I was really struggling with if I should write the optional essay. They all responded that if you believe you have something else to add to your application they would love to hear it. So long story short see below for my break down of my GPA per semester:

Fall 2011:
2.866(Received a D in Statistics)

Spring 2012:
3.188

Fall 2012:
2.975

Spring 2013:
3.55

Fall 2013:
Study Abroad at Saint Andrews. Grades did not transfer but credits did (A-, B+, B+,B-, C+)

Spring 2014:
3.34

Fall 2014:
3.22

Spring 2015:
1.864 (This included a D+ in Financial Economics, a C in Environmental Economics, and a C- in Public Finance)

Overall my GPA, is low but not abysmal in my mind but that last semester is just BRUTAL. To be totally honest it was a mixture of a few things:
1. My grandmother was dying(All 3 of my other grandparents had passed away and my dad passed away when I was 3)
2. I became totally obsessed with investing and focused more on this than academics, started my own investing blog, just fell in love with it.
3. My mom shattered the bottom 3 bones of her spine and was confined to a bed for 3 months and a walked for 6 months. Thank god 3 years later she has been able to return to normal activity although at times with pain.
4. I just went out to much, was not mature enough, and did not understand the long term consequences a terrible semester like this could have.


PLEASE SOMEONE RESPOND...
YES you should. 1.8 would raise some eyebrows. I would feel more comfortable knowing WTF happened there before admitting you. I don't think things are hopeless though. I got as an Indian IT guy into Ross & NYU who had a 3.0 and 730, zero EC (but, worked out of necessity reason for grades, and, HBX core.) Why the crappy math grades? glad you have good quant score.

https://MBAPrepCoach.com
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StratusDonna
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Re: Should I write the optional Essay [#permalink] New post   16 Jan 2018, 10:22
Expert Reply
Remember you are not writing a novel here- I would address the 1.8 semester with a briefer summary of what you listed here- keep in mind you are not trying to make an excuse- but instead show context. Less is more.
I think the 48Q should help you- so don't write too much--

If it makes you feel better- I have seen a lot of transcripts in my day- and I have seen good things still happen to people with "D's" on the transcript-- even in econ. There is never a "never" so try not to dwell on this and instead focus on your positives. The longer you work and do well, the less this will hurt you.
Good luck!
AWalsh599 wrote:
Should I write the optional essay to explain a DOWNRIGHT awful last semester GPA. Below are my stats:

1. GMAT = 720(48Q, 41V)
2. Boston College, GPA 3.0 on the dot, Economics Major and History Minor
3. Job Experience: 2.5 Years at Top Boutique consulting firm focusing on consulting E&P companies.
4. List of Schools I have applied to: Darden, Mccombs, Mcdonough, Keenan Flagler, Tepper, Owen.

So all my applications are in and I reached out to each school saying I was really struggling with if I should write the optional essay. They all responded that if you believe you have something else to add to your application they would love to hear it. So long story short see below for my break down of my GPA per semester:

Fall 2011:
2.866(Received a D in Statistics)

Spring 2012:
3.188

Fall 2012:
2.975

Spring 2013:
3.55

Fall 2013:
Study Abroad at Saint Andrews. Grades did not transfer but credits did (A-, B+, B+,B-, C+)

Spring 2014:
3.34

Fall 2014:
3.22

Spring 2015:
1.864 (This included a D+ in Financial Economics, a C in Environmental Economics, and a C- in Public Finance)

Overall my GPA, is low but not abysmal in my mind but that last semester is just BRUTAL. To be totally honest it was a mixture of a few things:
1. My grandmother was dying(All 3 of my other grandparents had passed away and my dad passed away when I was 3)
2. I became totally obsessed with investing and focused more on this than academics, started my own investing blog, just fell in love with it.
3. My mom shattered the bottom 3 bones of her spine and was confined to a bed for 3 months and a walked for 6 months. Thank god 3 years later she has been able to return to normal activity although at times with pain.
4. I just went out to much, was not mature enough, and did not understand the long term consequences a terrible semester like this could have.


PLEASE SOMEONE RESPOND...
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VeritasPrepDozie
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Re: Should I write the optional Essay [#permalink] New post   19 Jan 2018, 16:05
Expert Reply
Only thing to add here is that you really want to pick one clear narrative here and explain it concisely. Some of the honest explanations above, although honest won't quite work for admissions so I'd suggest maybe going with the family situation. This will remain a red flag regardless of your explanation but still needs to be explained clearly as they will be curious and have concerns about what happened. Good luck!
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Re: Should I write the optional Essay [#permalink]
19 Jan 2018, 16:05

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