Explaining lackluster uGPA in PS

[IlyaR]

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Hey guys, my PS is just about finished, and while I did make mention of maturing and learning from my mistakes in the essay, I didn't explicitly say: My poor grades were a result of ____, I did this ____ and now I'm this ____, as I didn't think it would flow well at all. I'm non trad and my job for the 4 years before my SMP was critical to my reinvention, and I think it would be better suited if I acknowledge that in the experience summary in work/activities. What do you guys think?

 

[hoihaie]

Yeah, don't include it. Almost everyone with poor grades in the beginning will have that exact explanation, adding it to the ps will do nothing for you

 

[Grace184]

I agree. There's often a place for that in the secondary.

I think you should focus on highlighting and selling yourself rather than pointing out what they will obviously see in your uGPA

 

[GrapesofRath]

It's very possible this will come across as childish and lack of awareness. Even worse it could be seen as that and excuse making which will signal to them you haven't changed at all and have no level of accountability. Hopefully you see where I'm getting at

 

[IlyaR]

It's very possible this will come across as childish and lack of awareness. Even worse it could be seen as that and excuse making which will signal to them you haven't changed at all and have no level of accountability. Hopefully you see where I'm getting at

I completely agree, but I should probably keep the " mention of maturing and learning from my mistakes in the essay", no? I had a ~4.0 after the job, 4.0 in a true SMP and a 35 mcat, and I owe it to the responsibility that I learned at my job (which is 100% true). I didn't make any excuses, just owned up to it in one sentence in my PS. In the summary experience part of that job, I went a bit further to explain the life skills which I had learned, which were important to my reinvention. Hope that clarifies

 

[baxt1412]

PS = Why medicine?

I wouldn't ever draw anything negative in your PS ever. Unless it was some sort of medical ailment that you or a close friend/family member dealt with which lead you to medicine, etc.

Just don't mention it in my opinion.

 

[hoihaie]

I completely agree, but I should probably keep the " mention of maturing and learning from my mistakes in the essay", no? I had a ~4.0 after the job, 4.0 in a true SMP and a 35 mcat, and I owe it to the responsibility that I learned at my job (which is 100% true). I didn't make any excuses, just owned up to it in one sentence in my PS. In the summary experience part of that job, I went a bit further to explain the life skills which I had learned, which were important to my reinvention. Hope that clarifies

You can explain that in your 15 activities summaries. Don't put it in the PS if it's not relevant to "why medicine"

 

[GrapesofRath]

I completely agree, but I should probably keep the " mention of maturing and learning from my mistakes in the essay", no? I had a ~4.0 after the job, 4.0 in a true SMP and a 35 mcat, and I owe it to the responsibility that I learned at my job (which is 100% true). I didn't make any excuses, just owned up to it in one sentence in my PS. In the summary experience part of that job, I went a bit further to explain the life skills which I had learned, which were important to my reinvention. Hope that clarifies

The 4.0 SMP explains itself and how you changed academically. While it's not a horrible idea to use that essay to bring this up, I definitely wouldn't say its necessary(or at least necessary to focus a significant part of the essay on it) and if there are other ways you have matured and grown as a person beyond your grades that would be a good essay to address them.

 

[DokterMom]

I completely agree, but I should probably keep the " mention of maturing and learning from my mistakes in the essay", no? I had a ~4.0 after the job, 4.0 in a true SMP and a 35 mcat, and I owe it to the responsibility that I learned at my job (which is 100% true). I didn't make any excuses, just owned up to it in one sentence in my PS. In the summary experience part of that job, I went a bit further to explain the life skills which I had learned, which were important to my reinvention. Hope that clarifies

You want your essay to 'show' more than 'tell' that you learned from your mistakes -- but a single phrase is not, IMO, out of line.

 

[Goro]

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

But gramma died?
House got washed away in a flood?
Your dog ran away?
Mom got diabetes?

And you naturally decided to bull your way through the semester, despite the smarter thing to do was to withdraw or take a LOA?

So no, don't do it.

Hey guys, my PS is just about finished, and while I did make mention of maturing and learning from my mistakes in the essay, I didn't explicitly say: My poor grades were a result of ____, I did this ____ and now I'm this ____, as I didn't think it would flow well at all. I'm non trad and my job for the 4 years before my SMP was critical to my reinvention, and I think it would be better suited if I acknowledge that in the experience summary in work/activities. What do you guys think?

 

[cherubb3]

I'm coming from a similar place. I decided to let my grades speak for themselves and only use my PS to sell my strengths and answer "why medicine?" They'll be able to see how I've changed on my transcript.

 

[vellez]

PS = Why medicine?

Exactly. If they are concerned about your grades and your ability to handle medical school, they will either give you space in the secondary to address this (many schools do this), or they will ask you during your interview. I was asked about my lackluster GPA during my interview, and I just was honest with them.