Grades on Personal Statement

[bubblegum92]

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Should I write about my bad grades in my personal statement or should I leave it out? I've had some advisors tell me to include it so I can explain why I had bad grades and others tell me that I should not include them so I can focus on answering the question of why dentistry. I'm really not sure who's advice to take.

 

[artist2022]

Focus on answering why dentistry. A few schools have supplemental questions with things like "Is there anything you want to explain that is not mentioned anywhere else on your application?" and that would be an appropriate place to explain. If a school doesn't have a question like that, then chances are they might ask you something in your interview, and that would be your chance to explain.

If you do want to add it, you could spin it into a positive note. You could include a small paragraph of how you've tried new studying methods out that have helped your grades and have led to a an upward trend, and how these new skills and studying habits will help you succeed in dental school.

 

[Prima Donna]

You could talk about what you learned from it or how you adjusted to it. People say to always turn it into a positive. I talked about getting Ds my first semester and how I changed my study habits and time management etc.