Explain bad grades!

[deleted212936]

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No illness, no family crisis, no bad relationships.
I'd take responsibility. I tried hard and aimed for As but in the end... it's not like I slacked off; maybe I didn't try my very best. For certain subjects like Orgo II which I got B- and Genetics which I got B, I felt I grasped the materials during the course well but unfortunately those were the grades -- ok to mention?
So after all, what would make an acceptable explanation?
I was thinking about what a good answer could be and couldn't come up with one. Of course I don't want to bring my weakness to adcoms' attention, but just in case I am asked about it by anyone.

 

[SBR249]

I would stress that you learned the material well. I don't think focusing on the grades will help you much. my $0.02

Also, perhaps the "MCAT Discussion" section is a bad place for this thread.

 

[BlueElmo]

OP, try posting in the Pre-Allopathic forum, you will get more responses there.

 

[ksmi117]

OP, please don't post in Pre-Allo. Once an MCAT mod comes around, they'll move it for you. Posting the same thread twice in different forums is a no-no on SDN.

 

[deleted212936]

Oops! I didn't know I posted in the wrong place! Sorry -_-

 

[SN2ed]

You can explain it, but they don't care about Bs. When people talk about explaining bad grades, it's usually Ds and Fs or a really bad GPA (in the 2 range).

 

[Caesar]

moving to Pre-Allo.

 

[binko]

I don't think those are "bad" grades. They're decent for a class that was really really hard (and orgo is for most).

 

[medactar]

So you shouldn't even try explaining "bad grades" even if there was a good reason (ex. taking care of 3 toddler siblings) through out undergrad unless the grades are Ds or Fs or you have a sub 3.0?

 

[nick_carraway]

So you shouldn't even try explaining "bad grades" even if there was a good reason (ex. taking care of 3 toddler siblings) through out undergrad unless the grades are Ds or Fs or you have a sub 3.0?

You might be asked for an explanation even for less extreme grades. I was asked about my 3.2 at my interview since the interviewer couldn't see a pattern in my scattered Cs. No one will ask about Bs, though.

It's always good to have an explanation ready in case you're asked. My only advice is to blame yourself and never someone else. You really shouldn't even blame outside factors unless there was a compelling, extenuating explanation.

 

[koffein]

Perhaps a related question may help with answering the original question.

If a person were asked about sub-par grades, in comparison to their other grades, would "too much non-academic focus" or "partying" be a neutral (not bad) excuse?

The reason I am using those examples is because the truth behind my bad grades (during only one semester) would probably result in zero acceptances anywhere in the US.

I mean my basic situation is 3.85-3.95 every semester and then a C+ and B- in two higher level science classes amounting to ~3.5 semester gpa. Thats not an easy thing to explain by just saying, "Well I was studying the same way as for the prior two full years of undergrad, but I guess I just flopped on those particular exams. It was just a sort of one-time accident."

 

[MassTransport]

No need to explain your B's.

And partying is a bad excuse. Just say you had an off semester.

 

[bellakk]

B's are not considered bad grades and wouldnt need explaining. The explaining goes with C's, D's and F's.

The biggest thing is just not to make excuses, "the prof was terrible", "my roommate kept me up to late and I was always tired". Take responsibility and show improvement in grades.

 

[slick27]

B's are fine. I'm sure they won't come up on an interview. C's however, might have some explaining to do.

 

[drizzt3117]

I mean my basic situation is 3.85-3.95 every semester and then a C+ and B- in two higher level science classes amounting to ~3.5 semester gpa. Thats not an easy thing to explain by just saying, "Well I was studying the same way as for the prior two full years of undergrad, but I guess I just flopped on those particular exams. It was just a sort of one-time accident."

You don't need to explain anything. 3.5 isn't exactly a low GPA. Don't stress about minutiae.