Does 1 bad semester need to be addressed in PS?

[idkididk]

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I had a bad semester that sort of ties into my PS narrative, but should I actually include it? I think my PS would flow better without mentioning it, but it does address my 1 bad semester and show me overcoming something personal, although that 'something' is not exactly the main narrative.

 

[alpinism]

Probably not.

Depends on how bad though.

If if was significantly bad (<3.0) and included some prereq courses (Cs or below) It might help to address it in a few sentences.

 

[Ismet]

No.

Most secondaries give you the opportunity to explain dips in academic performance. Leave it out of the PS.

 

[idkididk]

Probably not.

Depends on how bad though.

If if was significantly bad (<3.0) and included some prereq courses (Cs or below) It might help to address it in a few sentences.

It was a 2.6 sophomore year, all of my other semesters were 3.6+. I should be graduating with a 3.6

 

[Doctor Strange]

Absolutely not. The PS should be used to talk about why you want to be a doctor. Most secondaries will have a space for you to explain things of this nature or give you a space to make additional comments.

 

[Goro]

Don't even go there. it will only come off as sounding like making excuses. Save it for interviews. The PS is for "Who am I?" and "Why Medicine?"

I had a bad semester that sort of ties into my PS narrative, but should I actually include it? I think my PS would flow better without mentioning it, but it does address my 1 bad semester and show me overcoming something personal, although that 'something' is not exactly the main narrative.

 

[umbrellaapp]

Don't address it at all. If anything, your premed committee will likely explain it if they see that it's necessary, or you can explain it on secondaries/interviews.