Optional essay or not?

Question

Hi guys & gals,

My situation is I ended up with a 1st overall in Software Engineering from a decent university in the UK (not sure how a 1st relates to GPA but its the equivalent of an A), but failed a couple of economics & stats classes I took in the first year. These failures were mainly down to my immaturity and partying too hard. Most uni's (including mine) in the UK use a system where your 1st year marks don't contribute to your final classification, hence another reason why I didn't take them too seriously. I am wondering whether I should explain this in my optional essay? My grades showed a consistent upswing. The main reason I'm concerned is my 1st year grades are at the top of the transcript, and the decent marks from my last year are at the bottom! I have a GMAT of 750 (49Q 42V).

Cheers,

Dan

3underscore · Answer

Dan

I have a similar(ish) story of some marks that don't count, never did, drawing down my GPA converted on a UK degree.

In all my cases I explained the UK system at my Uni (I was at a four year course, so it was a little different again) and explained best I thought necessary for my degree.

Most Adcom will tell you that they have seen English degrees before, and are fine with it. 

So, briefly explain the system in the optional essay would be my idea. Though I didn't bother for one school.

johnnyx9 · Answer

I wouldn't bother with the optional essay. Ad-coms understand the grading systems used in other countries, so it sounds like your equivalent GPA is high. If they take the time to look at individual class grades and they see those classes you're worried about, I'm sure they can put two and two together and realize you were going through a typical first-year adjustment learning to balance your beers and your books.

3underscore · Answer

You see Johnny, that is the problem. Here a passing grade in any first year course is the correct balance for a lot of people. In fact, I know a lot of people who considered any points scored over 40 on a supplementary course as having carried out excessive work. The approach is very, very different.

You only need points to get honours access (so to do well enough in your major). Then it is clean slate, and the study starts.

londonluddite · Answer

Thanks for the input. I'm not overly worried about the conversion, as like you say most should understand that 1st = A (or thereabouts). Mainly concerned with whether the poor first year marks are worthy of explanation, I'm inclined to not bother considering the other factors (and the fact it was 10 years ago now :shock:

!)

johnnyx9 · Answer

Interesting. I wonder if the GMAT becomes that much more important for international students whose undergraduate experience is more difficult to compare to other candidates.

3underscore · Answer

I doubt it really - that would be an unbalanced move.

As long as they know the structure of the course, and how the final marks are decided, you can get the same value from reading an undergrad transcript.

I suppose luddite's could be seen to show a person who is very much aware of working to a high standard as necessary, but with an awareness not to just blindly work hard when not necessary. I mean they will be aware that most British undergrads are marked on a forced curve on class and grade when it comes to their final honours (10% A, 60% B, 30% C, 10% Fail pretty much).

A British transcript will show a certain objectivity of study (if you will). Alternatively, that 1st year at Uni in this country is an absolute free-for-all.

 edit - I should state I think GMAT is not really important, bar to say that you are still capable of math and writing for the course. If a school values GMAT highly for internal purposes, it will; if not, it will be of no more value in this case. All the same, I see no problem in reminding the reader of the system used for marking as it is a known potential unknown, if you were

aaudetat · Answer

Given your solid GMAT, the fact that you've been out of school for some time, and that you ended on a nice upswing, I wouldn't worry about it too much. But if it makes you feel better, a short (VERY SHORT) explanation would be ok. But I wouldn't bother. There are FAQs all over the various schools' web sites that say they know that college can be an adjustment and that the most important thing is that you showed regular improvement over time. And that a good GMAT can compensate for so-so GPAs. You seem to have both fronts covered.

imjimmy · Answer

Actually i have reason to believe otherwise. It seems to me that since internationals tend to do well on the GMAT, the adcoms look closely for GPA.
My case i had a 770 GMAT but a GPA which when converted to US scale might be in the range of 2.9-3.2 (not sure). I also had a downward grade trend(final yr worst). I never bothered with the optional Essay since I had a lot of certifications,had shown good career progression in 3.5 yrs of work and had a good GMAT. Even then the 2 schools that interviewed me asked me at length about my GPA. And this even when i had good grades in Quant courses in college. I had bad grades only in core electrical engineering courses.

sm176811 · Answer

I agree. Schools also look at GPA for international students. Personally I have a relatively impressive credentials, save my GPA. I have a pass with merit, which I guess when converted to GPA is just below 3.0 (not sure). However, so far I have not had a good luck with my applications and I believe it is the GPA that is retarding my chances.

Kdawg8 · Answer

I had a bad GPA as well, 2.9 but it was at Michigan so it is a well-known school. In my optional essay I discussed the low gpa but also explained that it had to do with moving away from home, I am from California and also how my GPA continued to improve as my years went on. I figured it wouldn't hurt to explain my situation so I did. Now we'll have to wait and see what the adcom thinks about it.

Optional essay or not?

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