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BostonTC2018
GMAT 1: 740 Q48 V42
Posts: 38
10 Nov 2021, 05:46
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Hey everyone - I had a year of college where my GPA was much lower than my other three years (<3.0 compared to 3.6-4.0). These grades were primarily because of an on and off battle with depression that resulted from a major sports injury, relatives cancer worsening, and a rough breakup. I was in a really bad place that semester, but fortunately had a great support system that helped me through it.
A few of the courses that I took that year were key to business school and I wanted to write a brief blurb to explain why those grades were so low. Does it make sense for me to do that or would it be seen as an unnecessary excuse?
Lastly, would it make sense for me to take a few online courses for those classes that I didn't perform well?
Thanks in advance!
A few of the courses that I took that year were key to business school and I wanted to write a brief blurb to explain why those grades were so low. Does it make sense for me to do that or would it be seen as an unnecessary excuse?
Lastly, would it make sense for me to take a few online courses for those classes that I didn't perform well?
Thanks in advance!
10 Nov 2021, 11:32
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The adcoms understand that there may be reasons why a particular course or semester during undergrad is not reflective of your academic aptitude. It's always best to provide as much context and information as you can to the adcom, and not to leave them guessing. Given that, I definitely recommend using the optional essay space to share this information. That said, you want to make sure that you're not making excuses (even if they're legitimate!), and instead present the information in a strategic way. Here's a simple framework I suggest using to structure your optional essay:
* Succinctly identify the problem or issue (i.e.: the semester that's an outlier on your transcript) and circumstances that contributed (i.e.: mental health issues, illness in your extended family, etc.- be sure to share what you're comfortable with here, but don't overshare; it shouldn't read like a diary entry).
* Clearly explain the steps that you took- and why you took them- in order to address the issue and the result you achieved (i.e.: maybe you sought out therapy, received additional tutoring, and were able to recover your GPA by the following semester as a result). Show that you're a problem solver and able to manage difficult situations.
* Present "proof points" that show that you are academically prepared for b-school and that you won't be an academic risk (i.e.: take MBA Math online and/or complete additional coursework to demonstrate mastery of the content you struggled with during that semester. That's a great idea in general, to help you get back into "student mode" as well).
Good luck and know that rarely does a final admissions decision come down to any one grade/semester of college.
* Succinctly identify the problem or issue (i.e.: the semester that's an outlier on your transcript) and circumstances that contributed (i.e.: mental health issues, illness in your extended family, etc.- be sure to share what you're comfortable with here, but don't overshare; it shouldn't read like a diary entry).
* Clearly explain the steps that you took- and why you took them- in order to address the issue and the result you achieved (i.e.: maybe you sought out therapy, received additional tutoring, and were able to recover your GPA by the following semester as a result). Show that you're a problem solver and able to manage difficult situations.
* Present "proof points" that show that you are academically prepared for b-school and that you won't be an academic risk (i.e.: take MBA Math online and/or complete additional coursework to demonstrate mastery of the content you struggled with during that semester. That's a great idea in general, to help you get back into "student mode" as well).
Good luck and know that rarely does a final admissions decision come down to any one grade/semester of college.
17 Nov 2021, 09:49
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While it does matter to an extent, it is not a dealbreaker for the application. All B-schools look at the holistic nature of the application and not at any particular aspect alone.
Hence, the GMAT/GRE score, application essays, all give you a chance to prove your worth and your creative side to the school. Your grades and work exposure are all a set of experiences. At the point when candidates' work insight, scholarly abilities, scholastic records, and EC's are similar exemplifications, B-schools will settle on affirmation choices by flipping coins.
The program by which you should stand apart from different candidates will rely upon how specific a B-school is. As a rule, the more specific a school is, the greater and more exceptional your application should be. Accordingly, your college application should emphasize your best, most interesting characteristics.
Cheers!!
Hence, the GMAT/GRE score, application essays, all give you a chance to prove your worth and your creative side to the school. Your grades and work exposure are all a set of experiences. At the point when candidates' work insight, scholarly abilities, scholastic records, and EC's are similar exemplifications, B-schools will settle on affirmation choices by flipping coins.
The program by which you should stand apart from different candidates will rely upon how specific a B-school is. As a rule, the more specific a school is, the greater and more exceptional your application should be. Accordingly, your college application should emphasize your best, most interesting characteristics.
Cheers!!
