Explaining Low Grades in Personal Statement

[PsychStudent115]

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Hi Everyone,
I had some health issues that required surgeries in my undergrad career, but, some professors were more willing to work with me than others/issues regarding my health directly interfered with some classes more than others (I missed more class periods). Thus, only two classes suffered with C's.
Finally, in my last semester, I took a class that was HIGHLY pertinent to the work I want during and after my PhD, but I received only a B. I asked my teacher why, to which he replied that he didn't feel like I was paying attention because I took notes on my laptop. I told him that was simply untrue, and asked him if he'd like to see my semester of notes. He declined, and strongly recommended I take notes by hand in graduate school.
DO I MENTION THESE ISSUES IN MY STATEMENT? IF SO, HOW DO I GO ABOUT THIS IN AN APPROPRIATE FASHION? The grades really drag down my GPA...
Thank you for your time and help!

 

[thepug]

Hi Everyone,
I had some health issues that required surgeries in my undergrad career, but, some professors were more willing to work with me than others/issues regarding my health directly interfered with some classes more than others (I missed more class periods). Thus, only two classes suffered with C's.
Finally, in my last semester, I took a class that was HIGHLY pertinent to the work I want during and after my PhD, but I received only a B. I asked my teacher why, to which he replied that he didn't feel like I was paying attention because I took notes on my laptop. I told him that was simply untrue, and asked him if he'd like to see my semester of notes. He declined, and strongly recommended I take notes by hand in graduate school.
DO I MENTION THESE ISSUES IN MY STATEMENT? IF SO, HOW DO I GO ABOUT THIS IN AN APPROPRIATE FASHION? The grades really drag down my GPA...
Thank you for your time and help!

hahah what a dirt bag. I'd go to the dean. Even if you lose it would be worth hearing the guy try to defend himself.

 

[deleted176373]

If you have only 2 C's and 1 B. I would not worry about addressing this in your personal statement... this is what your recommendation letters are for though, have your professors address the unique circumstances that you struggled through which resulted in C's that are uncharacteristic for you. This is a blessing in disguise because it will show your letter writers as knowing you on a fairly intimate level and you as a person.

The one B, that you can ignore.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

hahah what a dirt bag. I'd go to the dean. Even if you lose it would be worth hearing the guy try to defend himself.

Eh, I actually know quite a few instructors who don't like laptops in class, some to the point that they prohibit them. Not saying I necessarily agree, but after having taught, I can definitely see their point--at least in my (limited) experience, individuals using laptops in class aren't spending all (or possibly even most) of their time taking notes. Not that it necessarily matters for them, but it can be distracting to the people behind/around them, especially if whatever they're looking at becomes a topic of whispered conversation with their neighbors. I only had one professor in grad school who wouldn't allow them, though.

Back to the topic at hand, as Mark said, two or three grades generally aren't significant enough to warrant mentioning in a personal statement, especially to the degree of detail that you've laid out in your post. Assuming your overall GPA was fairly strong heading into the classes, I don't imagine they affected things very much in that respect.

You could briefly mention something about the medical issue and how it somewhat interfered with your academics, but having your rec letter writers address the issues on your behalf would be a much better (IMO) idea.

 

[aventurine]

If it's just a couple of classes in which you got below a B, I wouldn't worry.

I actually was seriously ill one semester but was not able to withdraw (complicated situation), and did terribly because I was too sick to study. I obtained a letter from my physician, documenting the illness and that it was resolved (i.e., not something that was going to be an issue in grad school). I touched upon it briefly in one of my essays, in terms of how it influenced my sense of perspective. I received many interview offers and several acceptances.

That's just to say that some poor grades in college (assuming there is a legitimate reason that is not chronic and likely to impair your grad school performance) are not necessarily going to kill your chances. If you are otherwise a strong candidate, it is possible to overcome such things.