Catch 22

[JustCats]

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So I've gotten one "C" in my career--last Spring, the second semester of O. Chem. There were some extenuating circumstances and the professor offered to write me a letter explaining the circumstances. (In case you're curious, I was a solid "B" student in the class but I got a "D" on a test the day after my husband shipped out for Iraq.) You should also know that I still should have gotten a "B"--she changed her grading scale AFTER the final because 2 students she thought deserved B's were getting A's for the semester. When she changed the scale, I am the only other person who got screwed--a B to a C. She and I argued about this for about two hours the day I found out. I can't and won't make her one of my evaluators because I already have 5 that know me very well. She's offered to mail the letter directly to the admissions committee of each school, but she won't let me see the letter.

What would you do? Last item that might be helpful--my overall gpa (undergrad, MBA, and post-bac) is 3.90, and my last 45 hours gpa is 3.67. Should I not worry about it? Explain myself in the app? Ignore it? Or let her send out letters?

Thank you! And good luck to every one of us!

 

[RockStarKDub]

This is just my personal opinion, but I would simply write about it in the explanation statement portion of the app. I don't really think her letter is necessary, especially since you don't know exactly what it will say. Besides, that's one reason the explanation statement exists. One C in a pre-req shouldn't make or break you, especially considering that your stats are otherwise very healthy 🙂

I had 3 full semesters' worth of D's and F's to "explain" and I got in to several schools without having an academic back me up in the way you're suggesting your professor would.

HTH!

 

[nyanko]

Uhh, you should probably just ignore it. What is the point in looking crazy about explaining a C when your numbers are solid to begin with? You'll just...look crazy.

 

[catlover]

I would just explain it - I'd be a bit afraid of what her letter might say since she won't let you see it - she doesn't sound very fair.

 

[JustCats]

I had 3 full semesters' worth of D's and F's to "explain" and I got in to several schools without having an academic back me up in the way you're suggesting your professor would.

HTH!

Thanks for the moment of levity RockStar. I would love to have read your explanation! You are my new role model. 🙂

 

[JustCats]

Uhh, you should probably just ignore it. What is the point in looking crazy about explaining a C when your numbers are solid to begin with? You'll just...look crazy.

Yah. I feel kind of crazy now that you mention it. Thanks for the reality check.

 

[chris03333]

Yah. I feel kind of crazy now that you mention it. Thanks for the reality check.

DO NOT write an explaination for a C in second semester O'chem! 👎

 

[JustCats]

DO NOT write an explaination for a C in second semester O'chem! 👎

Really?? Don't mention it at all in the "explanation" section?

 

[zpinkpanther]

I wouldn't write an explanation for it, I think it's okay to get a C in a prereq or two. Your GPA is still fantastic! Honestly, I got a C in Physics and still got into vet school. I also had to retake a few classes due to being completely irresponsible my first year, which was not even extenuating circumstances- I acted stupid and I messed up. Anyway, I think you'll be fine. Good luck! 🙂

 

[chris03333]

Really?? Don't mention it at all in the "explanation" section?

Yes
REALLY

(I mean to look like I am screaming that..)

 

[RockStarKDub]

Haha, I wasn't even really thinking about the option of NOT explaining it at all. I renege and choose that one.

 

[LucyLoo]

Hey, I got C's in both semesters of O-chem and frankly I worked my butt off just for those. I had to explain away an 'F' in genetics. You have great stats so I wouldn't sweat it.

 

[pressmom]

Don't write an explanation statement for just a C. A single C won't make or break your application. You sound like a very solid applicant. 🙂 I hope your husband is doing well.

Good luck!

 

[JustCats]

Don't write an explanation statement for just a C. A single C won't make or break your application. You sound like a very solid applicant. 🙂 I hope your husband is doing well.

Good luck!

Thanks! He is safe right now. He's in danger of having a heart attack though when he finds out how much I've spent on applications, transcripts, test prep books . . .

 

[BrumleyVet]

I just love this forum!!!

Thanks to all who have shared their honesty - really, it makes me feel that I will also succeed!

 

[ri23]

I agree to not write about one bad grade in the explanation statement.

 

[sofficat]

Don't even mention it- no explanation, no dwelling on it- nothing. My only C was in ecology (yes- ecology) and I never even mentioned it.

 

[Electrophile]

I had multiple Cs: both semesters of organic chemistry (C- second semester, ouch), cell bio, second semester of physics, first semester of biochem. I had a good explanation for a number of them (family deaths/emergencies sophomore year). I didn't include it on the application, but I was asked about it in the interview for vet school. They were satisfied with my answer and I got into grad, law, and vet school, so as long as the rest of your app is strong, don't obsess. 😀 I didn't get asked for law school, but I'm pretty sure they understood that the business, history, poly sci, etc majors that tend to be pre-law aren't taking that caliber of classes.

 

[VeganChick]

Got a 'D' in Biochemistry last semester...I WISH I had some explanation for it, but I don't. Not even "professor told me from the get-go that I was not going to do well in her class because I am an older non-trad." (True, she did.) Anyway, I think any explanation has to be worded extremely carefully so that it is indeed an "explanation" and not an "excuse."

And out of curiosity, those applicants who are writing explanations for grades, how do you word them? I would be more afraid of writing that than I am of the PS! 😀

 

[Hopeful2014]

I'm kind of in the same boat as what a lot of other people have posted on here. I have three C's (physics, both o chem's) and I'm starting to get really nervous about applying next year. I have over 2,500 hours of vet and animal experience, a lot of leadership, and volunteering, but I'm afraid I won't make it past the grade part.

I don't want to give up and not apply because I can't imagine doing anything else in my future, but I'm still nervous...

If you guys have any advice, please let me know!!

 

[dyachei]

I'm kind of in the same boat as what a lot of other people have posted on here. I have three C's (physics, both o chem's) and I'm starting to get really nervous about applying next year. I have over 2,500 hours of vet and animal experience, a lot of leadership, and volunteering, but I'm afraid I won't make it past the grade part.

I don't want to give up and not apply because I can't imagine doing anything else in my future, but I'm still nervous...

If you guys have any advice, please let me know!!

All I can tell you is to go for it anyway. I had 3 Cs in college (2 in o'chem and 1 was a C-) and am currently in my second year of vet school. You'll never know if you don't try. And for as much as people believe that its all about grades, it's really not.

 

[VAgirl]

Got a 'D' in Biochemistry last semester...I WISH I had some explanation for it, but I don't. Not even "professor told me from the get-go that I was not going to do well in her class because I am an older non-trad." (True, she did.) Anyway, I think any explanation has to be worded extremely carefully so that it is indeed an "explanation" and not an "excuse."

And out of curiosity, those applicants who are writing explanations for grades, how do you word them? I would be more afraid of writing that than I am of the PS! 😀

I avoided it for precisely that reason. I figured that if I didn't have some explanation that was obvious and easily recognizable (family death, etc.) that 1) it would come off as an excuse, and 2) it would draw attention to my weaknesses that I didn't want there.

If they were considering me at all, I figured that they either must not care too much about my GPA (and I could explain about it at an interview, where I had more control over how what I said was taken--and I had a kickass explanation prepared for interviews that I practiced about a million times), or they cared about my GPA but recognize my strengths elsewhere anyhow. Either way, I figured better to leave that can o' worms alone. YMMV.

 

[LucyLoo]

I guess in my statement I just wanted to acknowledge the fact that I had experienced failure (literally) in acadamia and talked about how I dealt with it and moved on successfully (for the most part) in my academic career. I'm a non-trad who's previous time in school was mediocre at best and I wanted to demonstrate how now I learn from rather than run from failure.

 

[FlyOnTheWall]

What would you do? Last item that might be helpful--my overall gpa (undergrad, MBA, and post-bac) is 3.90, and my last 45 hours gpa is 3.67. Should I not worry about it? Explain myself in the app? Ignore it? Or let her send out letters?

As a former AdCom I would write a brief in the explanation statement.. That's what it's for. It's not an excuse.. it just is what it is. When we're looking at a transcript grades jump out. We're curious. Having read the explanation (we see that before the grades) we know it's coming and why.

No letter from the prof in question. Sounds like a flake.