Disappointing grades

[gaffer]

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Hey all,
I don't know if this is a problem for many other people, but I thought maybe a discussion woul help at least me out.
For the past quarter I've encountered disappointing grades...as you might have guessed. While my grades arent' the best in the world throughout the rest of my transcript either, I've been priviledged enough to be invited for interviews. My question is what to do about addressing my grades.
As an applicant, I know that they see my mediocre grades that are drastically different from those times where I pulled my **** together I had good quarters. And as an applicant also, I feel I should address this issue, yet I would not want to insinuate on myself any 'negativity'. As cheesy as that sounds, that's what it is.

As a solution, I've just kind of decided that unless I'm asked I'm not going to address it...at least in the interviews.
But in sending my updated transcript to other schools, I'm not so sure what to do.
Anyway, thanks for all your help, I'm kind of a lurker, but check all the time. Youguys are all awesome.

thanx
gaf

 

[Green912]

The fact that you were granted an interview is certainly a good sign that the school believes you meet the standard requirements. I'd imagine they'd rather see someone with mediocre grades in the beginning who later pulled them up, instead of the reverse, but like I said they must be fairly comfortable with the "slip-up".

As far as how to address the issue during the interview, I see how that would be a little tricky. On one hand you want to erase doubt about your capibilities, but then again why bring up the issue if it isn't necessary. If only we could read their minds! With out a doubt I would think about your response in case they ask about it specifically during the interview. Otherwise the next opportunity would possibly arise at the end of the interview when they sometimes ask you for some closing comments. Whether or not to mention it then will likely be a judgment call based on how you think the interview is going. Whatever you do, put a positive spin on it and talk about how you're confident you'd be able to handle the upcoming course load.

 

[Cookie Monster]

If there are any reasons for your dropping grades - like family problems, significant other problems, spent more time doing volunteer work/athletics/job or whatever, be sure to tell the interviewers. Just a thought. Good luck at those interviews!

 

[gaffer]

Thanks for the advice. Definately pre-outlining a response would be good in my case, since I think it is such a highlighted blemish on my application. Now about letting the interviewers know about extra stuff that they may not know...I suppose it all depends on how the interview goes. One could slip a little something in if the question is relevant...or it could be tapped on at the end. What a task it seems to try and relate the more significant qualities of your entire life in one question/answer session with a couple of strangers!

thanks for all your help!!
gaf

 

[Maverick21]

Gaf,

I have some great words of advice my premed advisor gave me on a similar subject.

While my grades were solid, I did have 2 years of behavioral probation on my record (let's just say the adminstration didn't find 2 half barrels and a hookah as funny as my roommates and I did) and this was a tough one to explain to an interview panel. Basically, you have about 90 sec for a good answer, most people will spend 85s explaining their negatives and 5s giving the positives. The best (also from my experiences) is to say yeah it happened and spend 5s on your negatives and 85s saying how you learned from your experiences and you're a stronger person because of them (or whatever your case might be).

I think it's best to never get hung up or to rehearse one question, it's not your job to explain why it happened only to say how much you learned from it. Also they might not even ask you about your grades and you'll spend all this time and stress for nothing. Just go in being honest and ethusiastic and not anal about the "perfect" answer and you'll do fine.

Congrats on your interview.

-mav

 

[Chisel]

I agree.

When interviewing, turn this negative into a positive. Interviewers love when you can show them that you have learned something from your experiences.

Chisel
PCOM 2006