Bad semester - interview "interrogations."

[drteeth]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi guys,

So I had one really reallllllllly bad semester in the fall of my junior year. I finished up with a C- in genetics and a D- in Gen. Chem II (which I am currently retaking). I finished the semester up with a 1.6GPA In truth, that semester was emotionally difficult for me. My parents had plans of divorce and my long term girlfriend and I broke up. My parents' potential divorce (which never ended up happening), forced me to change my plans for the second semester of Junior year and I had to leave my out of state school to attend a cheaper in state school. When my parents decided to stay together I was able to go back to my out of state school where I completed my senior year. The rest of my grades are not amazing, but most semesters were around a 3.0, and I finished with 2.9 cumulative GPA.
With that said, I would like to begin speaking to advisors and other members of the admissions boards in an effort to develop some rapport. However, I am anticipating questions about that particular semester and I was wondering how I should go about explaining what happened - without trying to make it sound like a direct excuse? I know my story doesn't compare to others involving significantly harder times, but it did take quite a toll on me and I was constantly emotionally distracted that semester... which translated into bad grades...

Summary:
Bad grades fall semester of junior year (1.5GPA) - Broke up with long-time girlfriend, and parents potential divorce placed financial strain, had to transfer to a cheaper in state school the next semester. This placed tons of emotional distractions on me.... Worried about questions in interviews etc. and I wanted to know how I should respond?

Thanks so much for your advice, comments, or any other input!!!!

 

[naivegrl124]

Just tell them the truth and how it affected you. As long as your other semester grades are higher then there will be truth in your excuse but don't try to make it sound like they should feel sorry for you or anything but instead show them that you are determined to work hard and fill in the gaps of your past by doing really well in other categories (i am gueesing you are out of school) such as shadowing, post-bac studies, volunteer services and commitment to dentistry etc..) Don't stress too much do your best and hope for best!

 

[shane.]

Make it clear that you are not using this "emotional distress" as an excuse, and in the process shopping for sympathy.

 

[pine88]

I agree, be honest. But instead of focusing on how difficult the time was, spin it to emphasize what you learned about yourself, stress, and how you refocused to bring your grades back up.

 

[beannaithe]

I agree with all of the advice. Explain how the stress caused you to work harder for your goals...

Also consider applying for a masters program just as back up.

 

[jackbauer!]

don't blame your grades on your personal problems. everyone has them.... i was in a similar situation as yours, except my parents actually DID get a divorce. When an interviewer questions a semester of mine, i first place all blame on myself and then explain how i aced the course the 2nd time around!

jb!

 

[Nasem]

Im gonna go a head and disagree with most peeps on this one.... For pete's sake, YOUR APPLYING TO BECOME A DENTIST, WORK ON HUMAN BEINGS, AND YOUR OVERALL GPA WAS ABOUT 2.9 TO 3.0, now, I am not going to talk down to you about your gpa, we all made mistakes when we were younger and wish we "did better"....

However, execuses doesn't help your chances, all they do is show you them that your a weak emotional guy and everytime the stress level goes up, your grades hit the toilet seat.... I would DEFENETLY not talk about "personal" problems that effected your grades..... Instead I would say the following:

"I had a rough personal life and it caused me quite a bit, however, I think It tought me how to become a better person in life because now I can handle stressful situations alot better"

Now, if you go a head and say things like "my girlfriend broke up with me blah blah blah, my parents almost divorced blah blah blah"
The adcoms might come back with a question like this:
"well, my parents DID get a divorce when I was in my bachlors years in college and I still obtained a 3.5 GPA... how come you didn't do the same ? "

What are you going to say then ? "uhhh becuase your better than me ? "

you see where Im getting at ? execuses only make you a weaker person to them.

 

[pine88]

Im gonna go a head and disagree with most peeps on this one..... Instead I would say the following:

"I had a rough personal life and it caused me quite a bit, however, I think It tought me how to become a better person in life because now I can handle stressful situations alot better"

Ummm...isn't that what we all said? Focus on the positives, etc...😕

 

[Nasem]

Ummm...isn't that what we all said? Focus on the positives, etc...😕

Yes it is what everyone said, But, I was also giving him an example of how to pull something positive out of the situation.