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Supplemental Essay

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nonono1234
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Supplemental Essay [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2024, 11:44
Hi all,

I know this is a subject that's been discussed at length but would love some insight from the forum. As I get ready to finish up my deferred applications, ­I am debating using the supplemental essay to address a drop in my GPA sophomore Spring / junior Fall caused by two rapid-succession deaths in my family. In one case, I had to miss a final exam for a funeral and took a Withdrawal in a course (which is on my transcript). My GPA for those two semesters were a 3.25 and a 3.5 respectively. For context, my overall GPA is just shy of a 3.8 at a Brown/Columbia/Dartmouth/Cornell type-school and my GMAT is a 780. Would love to hear thoughts as to whether I should address this drop in the essay and how I should go about doing it. I've always considered there to be a stigma and negative perception by adcoms around the supplemental essay for things like this, so would love to hear thoughts from people in the know. Particularly aiming for top programs which I know will be a crap shoot regardless, but am also applying to a wide-range of schools. Thanks for the help & honesty!­
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Supplemental Essay [#permalink] New post   27 Mar 2024, 14:19
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Hi. I am so sorry about the situation you were put in with the quite negative outcomes. My condolences and happy to help the best I can.

I feel you should include it. I absolutely understand why you are feeling uncomfortable and a bit awkward about it. I would too. Nobody wants to use/bring up their relatives in that light. However, there are ways to put it on paper in a much better light and from a different perspective.

  1. Keep it professional and brief without providing too much backstory. It is not relevant.
  2. Mention that you had to unfortunately had to miss a final for one of the subjects that had impacted your grade.
  3. Make it a choice and a decision you made. You can say that you have approached your professor about a retake but unfortunately they were not able to extend it but you felt it was more important at that time to be with your family, show your support, and have closure.

So ultimately the focus on the choice and mechanics rather than the emotional side. it can be even as something concise and brief as below. Usually the shorter you make it, the more impactful it is. This would add some depth to your application as well and demonstrate resilience. You don't need to say "I have learned resilience" crap or anything like that. Your facts and examples should say that. 

Sample Essay:

During my sophomore Spring and junior Fall semesters, my academic performance was impacted by two family bereavements. These events necessitated my absence from campus for funeral services, including a situation where I had a hard choice between missing the final exam and missing my uncle's service, leading to a Withdrawal noted on my transcript. Despite these interruptions, I maintained a GPA of 3.25 and 3.5 in those semesters respectively, graduating with a 3.79 overall. I have later retaken the course with an "A". I hope my GMAT score of 780 also helps illustrate my focus and committment on my path towards an MBA. 

­
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Re: Supplemental Essay [#permalink] New post   28 Mar 2024, 06:18
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nonono1234:

We agree with bb. It's very appropriate to include this but don't overplay your hand. You could theoretically write an entire "regular" (not optional) essay about this period of time if it were impactful enough. It sounds like it was a terrible time (sorry!) but perhaps not one that remains nearly as relevant to your profile today.

Use your best judgment, but either way definitely let the AdCom know as this matter is germane to an important component of your application.

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Re: Supplemental Essay [#permalink] New post   28 Mar 2024, 10:46
­Thanks so much for the help and detailed responses! Really helpful!
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admitStreet
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Re: Supplemental Essay [#permalink] New post   29 Mar 2024, 02:42
 
nonono1234 wrote:
Hi all,

I know this is a subject that's been discussed at length but would love some insight from the forum. As I get ready to finish up my deferred applications, ­I am debating using the supplemental essay to address a drop in my GPA sophomore Spring / junior Fall caused by two rapid-succession deaths in my family. In one case, I had to miss a final exam for a funeral and took a Withdrawal in a course (which is on my transcript). My GPA for those two semesters were a 3.25 and a 3.5 respectively. For context, my overall GPA is just shy of a 3.8 at a Brown/Columbia/Dartmouth/Cornell type-school and my GMAT is a 780. Would love to hear thoughts as to whether I should address this drop in the essay and how I should go about doing it. I've always considered there to be a stigma and negative perception by adcoms around the supplemental essay for things like this, so would love to hear thoughts from people in the know. Particularly aiming for top programs which I know will be a crap shoot regardless, but am also applying to a wide-range of schools. Thanks for the help & honesty!­

nonono1234 - Sorry to hear about your ordeal.

I have worked with several applicants with less-than-ideal circumstances: staying objective and honest in the main/ supplemental essays has helped in all cases. This also helps build trust - schools understand that no profile is perfect.

You have your strengths, so make sure to showcase them in a strong narrative, while addressing this situation objectively.

­Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Schedule a free chat
W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com­
 ­


 
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Re: Supplemental Essay [#permalink]
29 Mar 2024, 02:42

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