explaining bad grade/mcat score

[acidhouse303]

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Does anyone know a good way to explain a particular poor course grade or lower-than-u-hoped-for mcat score.. i feel like this question always comes up in interviews and i dont know of a way to explain rather than making lame excuses for myself or saying i didnt have the proper time management/study skills at that point

 

[irishlaydi]

Does anyone know a good way to explain a particular poor course grade or lower-than-u-hoped-for mcat score.. i feel like this question always comes up in interviews and i dont know of a way to explain rather than making lame excuses for myself or saying i didnt have the proper time management/study skills at that point

I would say be honest to a point, but if the truth is poor study skills, etc... be ready to explain how you have gotten past that and why you wouldn't have that problem in med school, I think that may be the only concern with saying the low grades/scores are from poor study skills. But, I think you should be honest if it comes up, just don't dwell on it, say you have matured and realize now how much of a commitment you need and that you are prepared and have what it takes for med school...something like that. this is just my opinion...but hope it helps a bit. Are you talking about explaining in interviews or mentioning it in your personal statement??? Interview obviously makes it easier to explain yourself and how you have learned from your mistakes, etc...
🙂 don't worry too much, you are not the only one out there with low scores/grades!!!

 

[acidhouse303]

thanks irishlaydi, i really appreciate the help. yea its for an interview and im sure theyre going to ask me and im not really lokoing forward to feeling bad about something that happened years ago all over againn blah
are u from ireland originally? i spent most of last january there with this boy from waterford i used to date- your country is gorgeous and everyone was super friendly and fun!

 

[JohnDO]

I'm with irishlaydi. I think it is extremely important to be honest and to accept responsibility for your mistakes. You do not want to look like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel for excuses. If you really had an extreme situation, i.e. death in the family, then you can be honest about that. If it was just a lack of maturity, then say so. It is also important to distance yourself from the person who earned those grades. Like irishlaydi says, use it to explain that you realize what its going to take and you're fully prepared to meet the challenges with dedication and perseverance.