High School Transcript? yikes.

[Ishiguro]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi everyone, I'm a non-traditional student, currently enrolled in an MA program at an Ivy university, where I'm researching human rights issues (and pushing my research toward international health disparities). I want to apply to a postbac for next year. I'm 26 years old with a 3.8 undergrad GPA (very good liberal arts school) and I'm a reasonably strong test-taker. I'm taking biology this semester to get some science under my belt (I'm rusty!), but I otherwise have very little background in science classes (I took only enough to graduate Phi Beta Kappa, sadly enough).

A lot of work and life experience has profoundly changed me since my undergraduate years and I'm determined to do well at this. I'd love to attend the Goucher program, but I notice that they look at high school transcripts-- yikes. My SATs and writing portfolio got me into college; I was an unenthusiastic student outside of English classes and got Cs in Calculus and physics.

So how serious is this high school transcript business, after all?

Not to make this all about me-- anyone else want to commisserate about our poor decision-making skills as 16 year-olds?

 

[yadave]

Hi everyone, I'm a non-traditional student, currently enrolled in an MA program at an Ivy university, where I'm researching human rights issues (and pushing my research toward international health disparities). I want to apply to a postbac for next year. I'm 26 years old with a 3.8 undergrad GPA (very good liberal arts school) and I'm a reasonably strong test-taker. I'm taking biology this semester to get some science under my belt (I'm rusty!), but I otherwise have very little background in science classes (I took only enough to graduate Phi Beta Kappa, sadly enough).

A lot of work and life experience has profoundly changed me since my undergraduate years and I'm determined to do well at this. I'd love to attend the Goucher program, but I notice that they look at high school transcripts-- yikes. My SATs and writing portfolio got me into college; I was an unenthusiastic student outside of English classes and got Cs in Calculus and physics.

So how serious is this high school transcript business, after all?

Not to make this all about me-- anyone else want to commisserate about our poor decision-making skills as 16 year-olds?

i dont know about 16 years old but I was the val of my graduating class and got to college and completely screwed myslf over. i graduated highschool with a 4.6 and now im sitting at a 2.2 overall in college and im at the end of my undergrad...
dont let mistakes you have made hold you back. i refuse to let my undergrad gpa stuff hold me back. if being a doctor is your dream, u can and will do it. best of luck to you. my opinion is that your highschool stuff shouldnt matter too much. afterall,look at ur undergrad gpa! IMPRESSIVE 🙂

 

[TheRach1025]

I think they will not consider your high school GPA at all especially given your 3.8 in undergrad and that it was 10 years ago. Don't worry about it at all. If it keeps you up at night, give the program a call and ask them.

When you get into college you should stop worrying about your high school performance and when you hopefully get into med school you should forget about your undergrad performance (although I think a 3.8 is worth remembering).

 

[Ishiguro]

I am finalizing my personal statements now (YAY!) and am wondering if I should include a paragraph about my crappy high school science grades (As until junior and senior years, when they become Bs and Cs). There's no good reason; I was just an indifferent student and thought my high test scores were enough. Immature. I shaped up in college and learned the value of hard work when I was paying for school (got a 3.8 and did fine in the handful of "science for not science majors" classes and Calculus that I took to qualify for PBK at my adviser's insistence). But should my personal statement include something along the lines of, "I know these HS grades are bad, I hope that my strong performance on tests and my attainment of a 4.0 while serving as student body president and in graduate school will demonstrate my motivation and ability?"

Boyfriend says it sounds petty and the admissions committee will see these things themselves. I'm worried they'll see those Cs in Chem and AP Calc and I won't have a shot.

 

[NewmansOwn]

Your boyfriend is wise. The admissions committees at the top programs see your motivation, if you've proven it (trust me) -- and no amount of explaining would matter, if you hadn't. Sounds to me like you've been pretty solid lately, so I would just focus on that in your personal statements.

I always tell applicants that they shouldn't avoid their academic mistakes, but neither should they apologize for them. You may indeed be asked about it during the interview and if you are, just confront the issue straight on and give a firm, honest answer that shows you have, indeed, matured.

I am finalizing my personal statements now (YAY!) and am wondering if I should include a paragraph about my crappy high school science grades (As until junior and senior years, when they become Bs and Cs). There's no good reason; I was just an indifferent student and thought my high test scores were enough. Immature. I shaped up in college and learned the value of hard work when I was paying for school (got a 3.8 and did fine in the handful of "science for not science majors" classes and Calculus that I took to qualify for PBK at my adviser's insistence). But should my personal statement include something along the lines of, "I know these HS grades are bad, I hope that my strong performance on tests and my attainment of a 4.0 while serving as student body president and in graduate school will demonstrate my motivation and ability?"

Boyfriend says it sounds petty and the admissions committee will see these things themselves. I'm worried they'll see those Cs in Chem and AP Calc and I won't have a shot.

 

[Ishiguro]

Sweet, thanks (you're so quick with replies!). That makes the statement less in need of cutting down. I am so jazzed about the Goucher and Bryn Mawr programs, and about medicine. It's awesome to care so much about a career-- something that never happened to me before. Here's to hoping!

 

[betterlate]

Sweet, thanks (you're so quick with replies!). That makes the statement less in need of cutting down. I am so jazzed about the Goucher and Bryn Mawr programs, and about medicine. It's awesome to care so much about a career-- something that never happened to me before. Here's to hoping!

I agree completely. Don't address the issue in your personal statement, but be prepared with a concise & mature explanation if it comes up in your interview. Lackluster high school performance is hardly going to be the thing that keeps you back, particularly if you excelled later. The admissions committee expects people to mature as they grow older and more sure of their direction. Even if they ask about it in an interview, don't stress out or get apologetic. I think a simple, matter-of-fact 'I grew up and got my act together' both acknowledges the HS grades and tells the adcom what they REALLY want to know, which is that you will do better this time around.

 

[runner1323]

Agreed with the above posters. And if it makes you feel any better, I had a C in high school physics for 1 semeser and still got in to Goucher's program. And honestly, my high school grades (and college grades, for that matter) never once came up during my interview. I think it's more of a concern if you're struggling to get Cs in ALL science classes...

 

[Ishiguro]

Thanks, everyone! If I get interviews, I'll prepare to address the issue of high school grades then. I made a pact with myself sometime early in college to never again get low grades that could have been avoided through diligence. Congratulations to everyone accepted so far! I hope I'll be joining some of you in the fall.

 

[NewmansOwn]

Thanks, everyone! If I get interviews, I'll prepare to address the issue of high school grades then. I made a pact with myself sometime early in college to never again get low grades that could have been avoided through diligence. Congratulations to everyone accepted so far! I hope I'll be joining some of you in the fall.

Good luck. PM me if you're invited to interview at Bryn Mawr, and I'll give you the low down on that whole scene.