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28 Dec 2015, 04:28
Kudos
Bookmarks
I wanted to get some advice on whether to fill out the Wharton optional essay to explain an undesirable trend in my GPA.
To give more details – I ended up with a good GPA overall at a top engineering school (3.7). However, the splits show a bad trend: Freshman – 3.95, Sophomore, - 3.89, Junior – 3.60, and Senior – 3.41. Included are one B- and two C+s (everything else was B+ or better). The reason for the drop represents a shift in focus from spending 75%+ of my time on school, to focusing on my extracurriculars (President of 2 reputable clubs) and personal growth. I realized that these factors would help me get my target job, not having a 4.0 vs. a 3.7. This was a bit short-sighted when it comes to grad school, and I am worried that it will make me look lazy.
I should also note that I have other credentials which show my ability to handle the MBA course load (high GMAT, work at top consulting firm).
So, I would love to get your advice on how to proceed. When thinking about explaining this issue explicitly in the optional essay, I think the pros and cons are the following:
Pros: Acknowledges that the grades aren’t up to my standards, gives SOME explanation for the drop (business schools may respect my reasons since they all have grade non-disclosure for similar reasons)
Cons: Is not really an “extenuating circumstance” (e.g. family illness), may shine light on my grades when they wouldn’t have cared otherwise
Am I thinking about this the right way? How would you proceed?
To give more details – I ended up with a good GPA overall at a top engineering school (3.7). However, the splits show a bad trend: Freshman – 3.95, Sophomore, - 3.89, Junior – 3.60, and Senior – 3.41. Included are one B- and two C+s (everything else was B+ or better). The reason for the drop represents a shift in focus from spending 75%+ of my time on school, to focusing on my extracurriculars (President of 2 reputable clubs) and personal growth. I realized that these factors would help me get my target job, not having a 4.0 vs. a 3.7. This was a bit short-sighted when it comes to grad school, and I am worried that it will make me look lazy.
I should also note that I have other credentials which show my ability to handle the MBA course load (high GMAT, work at top consulting firm).
So, I would love to get your advice on how to proceed. When thinking about explaining this issue explicitly in the optional essay, I think the pros and cons are the following:
Pros: Acknowledges that the grades aren’t up to my standards, gives SOME explanation for the drop (business schools may respect my reasons since they all have grade non-disclosure for similar reasons)
Cons: Is not really an “extenuating circumstance” (e.g. family illness), may shine light on my grades when they wouldn’t have cared otherwise
Am I thinking about this the right way? How would you proceed?
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Expert reply
28 Dec 2015, 12:04
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gradeDrop
Based on the details you gave, I don't recommend writing anything about your grades. Just to correct one point, only some schools have grade non-disclosure.
You are better off ignoring it since you have a good GPA overall and you don't have any extenuating circumstance anyway.
Good luck!
28 Dec 2015, 13:35
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PersonalMBACoach
Hi Scott,
Had a quick question on the same topic.
I an Indian male applicant from a top Singapore University and will have 7 years of work experience at the time of matriculation in Investment Banking Technology and Business Strat Consulting.
I have a 740 (Q49, V41) on my GMAT, but unlike gradeDrop, my overall GPA was only 3.35, with a breakdown of 3.37, 3.38, 3.61 and 2.80 in the 4 years. In my final year, I did a Semester abroad in the first semester (grades didn't count towards my GPA) and missed the crucial recruiting period. This was second half of 2008 and by the time I was back in Singapore, the Financial Crisis had unfolded with all its might. Therefore, my focus in the last semester was almost entirely on recruitment (I had student loans to worry about upon graduation) and I did not pay much attention to my coursework and hence, the big GPA drop. When I was leaving for my Semester abroad in June 2008, we really had no inkling about what was going to hit us on our return. And recruitment in Singapore was hit pretty hard with a third of my batch graduating without a job upon graduation. Add to that nearsightedness, did not expect GPA to play a big role in anything other than recruitment for my first job (where the final semester GPA does not matter).
Do you think that I should use the optional essays to explain the fall in grades based on the reasoning above and my overall academic profile (GPA + GMAT)? Will really appreciate any advice!
Thanks a ton!
Best,
Fall2016Eddy
