Explaining W's, Incompletes, etc

[NurWollen]

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What is the best approach?

I suppose I could have just brought this up in the AACOMAS questions thread, but I was kind of hoping for a discussion rather than just a quick answer.

What is the consensus regarding explaining W's, incompletes, and other red-flag issues on AACOMAS? I know I could mention it in my personal statement, but all the advice I have received about my PS has encouraged me to be as positive as possible. I kind of want to stick to that advice.

That being said, is there usually a chance to describe/explain such circumstances on a secondary? I know that the interview is a good time, but I of course need to get an interview to do that.

I feel I have good explanations for those black eyes on my transcripts, but I just want to make sure I get the chance to explain before I get screened out or something.

 

[MedPR]

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Yes.

 

[NurWollen]

Yes.

Sorry, I accidently hit "enter" while I was using the thread search function.

 

[MedPR]

What is the best approach?

I suppose I could have just brought this up in the AACOMAS questions thread, but I was kind of hoping for a discussion rather than just a quick answer.

What is the consensus regarding explaining W's, incompletes, and other red-flag issues on AACOMAS? I know I could mention it in my personal statement, but all the advice I have received about my PS has encouraged me to be as positive as possible. I kind of want to stick to that advice.

That being said, is there usually a chance to describe/explain such circumstances on a secondary? I know that the interview is a good time, but I of course need to get an interview to do that.

I feel I have good explanations for those black eyes on my transcripts, but I just want to make sure I get the chance to explain before I get screened out or something.

I've only received a few DO secondaries, and I honestly haven't read much of the 2011-2012 threads, but many of my MD secondaries have had a section to explain lapses in your academic record.

PS is precious space, and I agree it's best not to bother with W's or other stuff in there. You can throw in a line about your upward trend or whatever, but if your W's are spaced out through all 4+ years, I think you should avoid the topic.

Also, if you only have a few W's, I doubt schools will even care.

 

[HalfListic]

In general...you give a very short part of your PS to explain if you have low GPA or MCAT. Look into how this is well done.

Then, the best advice Ive heard about the specifics: Don't bring em up until you are asked about them. They have your transcripts, so no use in highlighting your weaknesses.

At last, be ready to talk a bit about them in an interview setting

 

[MedPR]

In general...you give a very short part of your PS to explain if you have low GPA or MCAT. Look into how this is well done.

Then, the best advice Ive heard about the specifics: Don't bring em up until you are asked about them. They have your transcripts, so no use in highlighting your weaknesses.

At last, be ready to talk a bit about them in an interview setting

I had 2 sentences about my low GPA. First one said that my semester GPA after xyz event was the highest to date, and the next explained why it went up (passively why it was low to begin with). Then I moved on.

 

[HalfListic]

I had 2 sentences about my low GPA. First one said that my semester GPA after xyz event was the highest to date, and the next explained why it went up (passively why it was low to begin with). Then I moved on.

Yep, thats about right...I had a similar amount of real estate dedicated to GPA as well