1 semester bad grades explain when prompted or ignore?

[neworleans8]

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i know there are a ton of threads on this topic and I have spent time searching them but can't find a good answer.

Anyway I am a non-trad and I did a post bac program spread out over 2 years while working full-time. I had a 3.4 GPA from undergrad, but never took any sciences.

I was doing really well in my science classes. The winter of 2011 I received an unexpected diagnosis after a routine physical, ended up in the hospital...etc. really rough time. Unfortunately, I did not have the good sense to withdraw from my classes (lesson learned about taking on too much). Despite my best efforts, I ended up with a C and C- in two pre-reqs. I am now dealing with a chronic illness...but after the initial period of not knowing what was going on and be totally freaked out I was able to bounce back and maintain a 4.0 GPA in all classes after this time period.

I don't want this to define me at all. I have 3 years of direct patient contact and some other pretty cool life experiences to talk about. I have not discussed this in my PS. My question is...when a school directly asks for extenuating circumstances, would it be stupid not to mention this, because the grades really stick out.

ANY ADVICE would be very much appreciated!!!! i keep going back and forth about what to do. thanks a lot.

 

[ShenanigansMD]

If you want to sound genuine, just write about this in roughly 3 sentences. Avoid the pity party paragraph and/or short story, and get to the point quickly in an "additional information" section.

So yeah, just don't let it define your application.

 

[400292]

It's to your benefit to explain your deficiencies, but as stated, in a short and sweet manner (people who blab on and on produce details that then become negative and make you look unworthy).

If you don't explain it...think what the ad com will see. Two C's next to two different post-bac sciences classes, and no reason why...like you don't care.