Drop in cGPA, mention in Secondaries?

[wanderingorion]

---

Members do not see this ad.

My verified AMCAS cGPAs show 3.7ish for all UG years, except during my the fall of my sophomore year, where it dropped to 3.00 for the term, causing my cGPA for the year to be 3.29. This year was difficult for me, as I was working 30 hours washing dishes, living on my own for the first time, taking Ochem, and studying after work with a "nocturnal" study group. I bounced back in the spring to 3.53 term GPA. Should I mention this in "Academic changes portion" of my secondaries, or is the drop not drastic enough?

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

I don't think it hurts to offer an explanation. 3.29 isn't terrible but it could help your app to give schools some context so they don't think you just slacked off for a semester. I think it's enough to say that you were working part-time and struggled initially to balance work with your courseload but that you were able to improve your study/time management skills and bring your GPA back up the following semester. It's good to focus on how you improved/learned from the situation.

 

[Goro]

Some secondaries might ask about this.

But if not, never, ever draw attention to a negative.

My verified AMCAS cGPAs show 3.7ish for all UG years, except during my the fall of my sophomore year, where it dropped to 3.00 for the term, causing my cGPA for the year to be 3.29. This year was difficult for me, as I was working 30 hours washing dishes, living on my own for the first time, taking Ochem, and studying after work with a "nocturnal" study group. I bounced back in the spring to 3.53 term GPA. Should I mention this in "Academic changes portion" of my secondaries, or is the drop not drastic enough?

 

[wanderingorion]

I haven't gone out of my way to mention it, but so far a few secondaries have asked questions concerning any "significant fluctuations in your academic record which are not explained elsewhere on your application." I just am wondering if it's "significant" enough of a fluctuation, or if I should just talk about it to cover my bases.

 

[wanderingorion]

A drop to 3.0 is worth mentioning along with the context that you mentioned above

Great. That's the blessing I needed. Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[Crayola227]

I would address the role of ochem or the noturnal study group totally differently in your essay or if asked on an interview, just saying

say all the rest but say something about transitioning to the greater rigor of a sophomore courseload coupled with the increased hours etc posed a challenge that took you X amount of time to learn to balance, which you did by doing xyz, or something sorta like that

 

[Crayola227]

don't just call out ochem like that, is all I'm saying

and a nocturnal study group was YOUR choice, so dont bring that up,

you can bring up that the schedule of your work hours or what have you was a contributor to having some difficulty

when working too many hours and it interferes with school the assumption is usually that you needed the money

catch my drift?

 

[wanderingorion]

I would address the role of ochem or the noturnal study group totally differently in your essay or if asked on an interview, just saying

say all the rest but say something about transitioning to the greater rigor of a sophomore course load coupled with the increased hours etc posed a challenge that took you X amount of time to learn to balance, which you did by doing xyz, or something sorta like that

It was so much OChem, but I was taking a 12 hours science course load, along with 2 labs.
The night study group was my solution. I'd get off work at 11, and we'd study until 3-4.

I guess I'm just trying to convey that I had a lot on my plate, and adapted. Ugh, I hate writing about myself.

I'm not sure I catch your drift?