Explaining a bad grade on secondaries

[fd25]

Many of my secondaries have questions asking to explain any poor grades or inconsistencies in grades. I have a 3.63 cGPA and 3.54 sGPA. I have a mixture of A/A-'s, some B's, and two B-'s. In my first semester of my senior year I got a C+ and three A's. The A's were in classes that were paper and presentation based, while the C+ was in an upper level neurobiology class with only three exams. During this time, I was studying for the January 2020 MCAT and working on my research project for my senior thesis. I ended up getting a 511 on the MCAT (126/130/127/128), and then 2 A's, 1 A- and a P in my final semester, spring 2020. What I am wondering is: should I write an essay about the C+ or should I just let it be and let them ask me in potential interviews?

I was dealing with some substantial financial stress at the time, but I don't feel I have a very eloquent way of explaining it, nor do I want to say it was because I was studying for the MCAT, as that sounds like I can't handle rigor. Will it look like I am being lazy or trying to hide it if I don't explain in my secondaries?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[M&L]

so, this is just my opinion, and i am only an M2. I am sure, AdCom members would know better, BUT:

one should always be careful about "explaining" bad grades, because you dont want it to sound as an excuse, which would make it SO MUCH WORSE. Having tough semesters is ok, and admitting that you messed up is also ok, as long as you show what you learnt from it.

so, i would either just not explain it at all, or write something like that (please do not copy paste it, it is just a suggestion 🙂)):

"during that semester I received C+ for neurobiology class. I believe that that was a result of my poor judgement, - i should not have taken the class that would be so intense while i was studying for MCAT, focusing on my research, and going through a period of significant financial stress. While i realized that i made a bad decision, i still chose to work hard on the class, and not drop out, to make sure i can get the most out of it. This experience taught me to think ahead, and plan my schedule more effectively. It also taught me that sometimes you just have to face the consequences of your action, and pay the price of your GPA dropping because of choices you made". So, this shows that you acknowledge that what you did was bad (the grade, i mean), and you admit that you are not perfect, and the experience made you more humble (btw - great idea to actually include that word in your essays, since there are just so many arrogant doctors out there. hahaha), and that you learnt from it.

just my 2 cents.

 

[penguinsfan71]

Those questions are about F's or multiple W's, not one C+. I would leave the question blank.

 

[fd25]

so, this is just my opinion, and i am only an M2. I am sure, AdCom members would know better, BUT:

one should always be careful about "explaining" bad grades, because you dont want it to sound as an excuse, which would make it SO MUCH WORSE. Having tough semesters is ok, and admitting that you messed up is also ok, as long as you show what you learnt from it.

so, i would either just not explain it at all, or write something like that (please do not copy paste it, it is just a suggestion 🙂)):

"during that semester I received C+ for neurobiology class. I believe that that was a result of my poor judgement, - i should not have taken the class that would be so intense while i was studying for MCAT, focusing on my research, and going through a period of significant financial stress. While i realized that i made a bad decision, i still chose to work hard on the class, and not drop out, to make sure i can get the most out of it. This experience taught me to think ahead, and plan my schedule more effectively. It also taught me that sometimes you just have to face the consequences of your action, and pay the price of your GPA dropping because of choices you made". So, this shows that you acknowledge that what you did was bad (the grade, i mean), and you admit that you are not perfect, and the experience made you more humble (btw - great idea to actually include that word in your essays, since there are just so many arrogant doctors out there. hahaha), and that you learnt from it.

just my 2 cents.

Thanks so much for the advice. My fear was that I didn't at all want to sound as if I were making excuses. Great suggestion though!

 

[fd25]

Those questions are about F's or multiple W's, not one C+. I would leave the question blank.

Kind of my thought also, I just didn't want to seem like I was trying to pretend it didn't happen. Thanks!

 

[Blueprint Med School]

I wouldn't spend much time obsessing over it. Any potential explanation for a single okay grade would risk sounding excuseish when the rest of your grades that semester are solid and probably would draw unnecessary attention to it.

David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

 

[patnic511]

Those questions are about F's or multiple W's, not one C+. I would leave the question blank.

How many W's would you say warrants answering the question? Three W's total, each in different years?

 

[Talldoctor96]

definitely no need

 

[fd25]

I wouldn't spend much time obsessing over it. Any potential explanation for a single okay grade would risk sounding excuseish when the rest of your grades that semester are solid and probably would draw unnecessary attention to it.

David D MD - USMLE and MCAT Tutor
Med School Tutors

Thank you!

 

[Calizboosted76]

I am having the same issue. However I had like multiple years of terrible grades do to being low SES and having to work to support my family (5 individuals total) through the start of my undergrad career.

 

[iliketurtlez]

I think that you shouldn’t try to explain your grades. If given the chance, you should explain the financial difficulties and any hardships that you faced. I think that in turn can sort of “explain” the grades without directly mentioning it. Not an adcom so take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

[GreenDuck12]

How many W's would you say warrants answering the question? Three W's total, each in different years?

That doesn’t warrant an explanation. In the event you are asked in an interview I would have an answer. But 3 isn’t a lot.

 

[penguinsfan71]

How many W's would you say warrants answering the question? Three W's total, each in different years?

I think I'd still leave it blank. If it were 3 W's in one semester because of a family emergency, severe accident, etc., then that would be worth explaining. But unless all three W's are somehow connected, I wouldn't mention it.

 

[IlDestriero]

Unless you had a bad semester/year or maybe changed schools because of a family emergency/tragedy/medical setback, etc. you really don’t want to waste any time drawing attention to the negatives in your history. You should try to focus on what makes you special, unique, interesting, etc.

 

[GreenDuck12]

If schools have secondary prompts that specifically ask to explain a low GPA or poor grades, would that warrant an explanation for a C+?

If you want, personally I wouldn’t want to draw attention to one low grade. If you do decide to write a response it needs to focus on how you struggled after your friend died and what you did to improve. Remember, the prompt is not about the tragic circumstances of your friends death but rather your challenges, how you overcame them, and why it won’t occur in the future.