Explaining extenuating circumstances

[jazane08]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I already turned in my application and mentioned briefly in my personal statement that I got really sick, which is why I had a bad semester. I also explained this in the application under the part asking where my education has been interrupted or adversely affected....Some of the supplementaries also ask to explain any extenuating circumstances.....Do I tell them again for the third time? Or could I just leave it blank and assume that they will read my personal statement and the part about my education being interrupted or adversely affected?

 

[slm266]

Don't bring it up again. It was one semester

 

[MDixon2429]

I already turned in my application and mentioned briefly in my personal statement that I got really sick, which is why I had a bad semester. I also explained this in the application under the part asking where my education has been interrupted or adversely affected....Some of the supplementaries also ask to explain any extenuating circumstances.....Do I tell them again for the third time? Or could I just leave it blank and assume that they will read my personal statement and the part about my education being interrupted or adversely affected?

I think this is an opportunity for you to further explain the extenuating circumstance if you think it will benefit your application. Be ready to discuss it in your interview whether or not you decide to elaborate. I would think that it is better to shed light as to why a bad semester occurred rather than leave the committee to question it. Be sure to mention how it strengthened your character and how you overcame it. Anyone else have any thoughts? I can totally understand why you would be reluctant to discuss it further. But it does show that you care deeply about your application and that in and of itself makes you a great applicant. Good luck and I hope I helped! (I am applying too!)

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

I already turned in my application and mentioned briefly in my personal statement that I got really sick, which is why I had a bad semester. I also explained this in the application under the part asking where my education has been interrupted or adversely affected....Some of the supplementaries also ask to explain any extenuating circumstances.....Do I tell them again for the third time? Or could I just leave it blank and assume that they will read my personal statement and the part about my education being interrupted or adversely affected?

My opinion - don't restate it in the secondary applications. As you have already stated, you have mentioned it twice. DO NOT let one bad semester define you. Take the time in the secondary application to sell yourself. If I were on the admissions board, I would wonder about you as a potential dental student if you continually bring up the negative semester. Sell yourself! Show them that there is more to you than just that one bad semester. Plus, if they really want to know more about that semester, they will want you to clarify and defend yourself during the interview process.

From now on, until the adcoms ask you about it, just forget that semester even happened. Show them you are an applicant they want to consider to be a part of their family.

 

[Doc Smile]

my opinion - don't restate it in the secondary applications. As you have already stated, you have mentioned it twice. do not let one bad semester define you. take the time in the secondary application to sell yourself. If i were on the admissions board, i would wonder about you as a potential dental student if you continually bring up the negative semester. Sell yourself! Show them that there is more to you than just that one bad semester. Plus, if they really want to know more about that semester, they will want you to clarify and defend yourself during the interview process.

From now on, until the adcoms ask you about it, just forget that semester even happened. Show them you are an applicant they want to consider to be a part of their family.

+1

 

[jazane08]

thanks for all the feedback and encouragement! it really helped a lot.

good luck everyone!

 

[Baker2010]

I would definitely answer the same question in the secondary apps. They are asking you this question because they want to know and as mentioned by MDixon, it could be an opportunity for you to further explain the predicament. Also, it could not hurt you to answer this because you do not want them to question your ability to consistently perform well if indeed, you had an extenuating circumstance that hindered your performance. Maybe most importantly, it doesn't look good to leave answers blank!