Another "bad grades" question

[smearguardhighlighter]

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I'm not referring to tiny fluctuations that most of the other threads I've found refer to. I also mean specifically for secondaries that ask for it or ones that have an "anything else" when you've covered all of the other things you want to share in the other questions.

Where do you draw the line between an explanation for large decrease in GPA one year vs it coming off as an excuse? If there was a health issue at the time and you got a 4.0 and high mcat after, but the explanation helps contextualize what happened?

 

[Blueprint Med School]

Unless you have a significant story, I wouldn't use the "Anything else" prompt to talk about this. However, I don't think there's a line for explanation vs excuse- be honest with yourself, were there actually extenuating circumstances that led to poor grades?

Kevin W, MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[penguinsfan71]

If there was a health issue at the time and you got a 4.0 and high mcat after, but the explanation helps contextualize what happened?

Tread very carefully with health issues, especially if it's something that could continue to effect your schoolwork. If it was something like you broke your leg and were bedridden for 2 months and couldn't attend class, sure. But if it was something like anxiety or depression, I would leave it out as adcoms see those as red flags.

 

[Goro]

I'm not referring to tiny fluctuations that most of the other threads I've found refer to. I also mean specifically for secondaries that ask for it or ones that have an "anything else" when you've covered all of the other things you want to share in the other questions.

Where do you draw the line between an explanation for large decrease in GPA one year vs it coming off as an excuse? If there was a health issue at the time and you got a 4.0 and high mcat after, but the explanation helps contextualize what happened?

Going from, say a 3.9 -> 2.9 in a single year because you had a car accident and left you with chronic pain issues for six months would be a reasonable explanation, as would or mom getting cancer or your dad losing his job and you have to balance work and school to help the family out with finances...After the crisi resolves, your resume your normal great acadmics.

YES, you ave displayed some bad judgment by not taking Ws, but sometimes schools don't let you, or deadlines pass, or you though t you could do both.

The thing I look for is that you recover.

People whose poor choices that crater their GPAs permanently have a longer road to travel with these prompts.

 

[smearguardhighlighter]

Going from, say a 3.9 -> 2.9 in a single year because you had a car accident and left you with chronic pain issues for six months would be a reasonable explanation, as would or mom getting cancer or your dad losing his job and you have to balance work and school to help the family out with finances...After the crisi resolves, your resume your normal great acadmics.

YES, you ave displayed some bad judgment by not taking Ws, but sometimes schools don't let you, or deadlines pass, or you though t you could do both.

The thing I look for is that you recover.

People whose poor choices that crater their GPAs permanently have a longer road to travel with these prompts.

Not a car accident but documented chronic pain. I have a few sentences explaining the issue + the context of what it was and how it interfered, mention the drop and focus on the recovery, then what I learned to handle this type of situation differently in the future. Does that sound ok? Or would you just suggest skipping it entirely?

1) post your AMCAS GPA Grid. Without that, there is no way that we can see what Adcoms can see and therefore guide you
2) for the vast majority of students who are concerned with this usually have such minor changes (and a 3.5 to a 4.0 is minor) that I advise never put anything in to explain grades.
3) and for those students who do explain, they go on at length that makes it seems like an excuse. Any explanation of "bad grades" needs a VERY BRIEF (1-2 sentences) explanation.

3.7c/3.6s
3.4c/3.0s
4.0
4.0 - only 1 semester of senior year, then graduated

My 4.0s included several science prereqs + upper level science courses if that makes a difference.

My overall science is ~ 3.55 now, overall is 3.75 now, 520 mcat

I realize the eventual GPAs aren't terrible but the discrepancy is clear in my AMCAS grid. I am applying very broadly as a result but wonder if I should disclose these circumstances to the handful of schools who leave the space for it since my upswing wasn't for a full 2 years.

 

[Goro]

Not a car accident but documented chronic pain. I have a few sentences explaining the issue + the context of what it was and how it interfered, mention the drop and focus on the recovery, then what I learned to handle this type of situation differently in the future. Does that sound ok? Or would you just suggest skipping it entirely?



3.7c/3.6s
3.4c/3.0s
4.0
4.0 - only 1 semester of senior year, then graduated

My 4.0s included several science prereqs + upper level science courses if that makes a difference.

My overall science is ~ 3.55 now, overall is 3.75 now, 520 mcat

I realize the eventual GPAs aren't terrible but the discrepancy is clear in my AMCAS grid. I am applying very broadly as a result but wonder if I should disclose these circumstances to the handful of schools who leave the space for it since my upswing wasn't for a full 2 years.

F the grid. It doesn't take into account people like you. Apply as if your GPA is a 4.0

And yes, it's OK to explain the drop in GPA.

 

[smearguardhighlighter]

F the grid. It doesn't take into account people like you. Apply as if your GPA is a 4.0

And yes, it's OK to explain the drop in GPA.

Thank you for the advice!