Describing a setback or failure

[virtualmaster999]

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Hi all!

I have a quick question. I know some schools have in their supplementals to write about a time where you had a setback or failure.

I wanted to write about how I got a W in a class, and how I was discouraged from the experience, but how I managed to work even harder the second time taking the class, and how it helped me for the future.

Would this be a good experience to write about? It also fills in the gap as to why I got a W on my transcript.

Could i have some input on this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[virtualmaster999]

I think you have a good strategy for answering this question.

Just FYI, you might get asked this question in the interview as well.

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated!

 

[Blackhorse90]

Always spin it into a positive learning experience

 

[virtualmaster999]

Always spin it into a positive learning experience

I agree, thanks 🙂

 

[Bucks783]

I agree with all of the above posts, it is a great idea and you can spin it into a positive. I was going to take a different approach....what about an injury that caused me to be unable to walk for over a two months and miss a month of class due to surgery/recovery and I had to come back and make up all the work I missed. Or is that a stretch?

 

[virtualmaster999]

I agree with all of the above posts, it is a great idea and you can spin it into a positive. I was going to take a different approach....what about an injury that caused me to be unable to walk for over a two months and miss a month of class due to surgery/recovery and I had to come back and make up all the work I missed. Or is that a stretch?

I like it! Maybe not just make up work, but grow to become stronger for the future in general..this situation is definitely emotional, and you could really make it into a motivational experience!

 

[hellofuturedentists]

I agree with all of the above posts, it is a great idea and you can spin it into a positive. I was going to take a different approach....what about an injury that caused me to be unable to walk for over a two months and miss a month of class due to surgery/recovery and I had to come back and make up all the work I missed. Or is that a stretch?

I think it's definitely considered a setback, but not a failure. I'd have a back-up failure story just in case.

 

[virtualmaster999]

I think it's definitely considered a setback, but not a failure. I'd have a back-up failure story just in case.

That's true thinking about it like that...maybe it affected your academics, it would work out nicely.

 

[Bucks783]

Yeah the supplemental question asks about overcoming some type of adversity you have faced in life and how you handled/overcame it

 

[hellofuturedentists]

Yeah the supplemental question asks about overcoming some type of adversity you have faced in life and how you handled/overcame it

Oh then that should work! But I think the failure one is a common interview question. It's good to have experienced failure at least once.