How did you explain a dip in your GPA during undergrad?

[Nate_Dawg]

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So I'm about to graduate with a B.S. Geography (3.4 GPA) in about 3 weeks and go right to work. I'll be starting a DIY PostBacc as the only BCPM classes I have are 2 math courses that I had to take to graduate (Algebra & Statistics). Looking back at my undergrad career my GPA took a drastic dip my junior year. I had a positive trend my first two years but then I dropped to a 2.9 GPA when averaging out the junior year semesters. Senior year has been my best ending with a 4.0 this semester! Not to sound like I'm making excuses but my wonderful son was born that year, right before school, and being a 20 year old, I didn't know how to handle being a full-time student, working and being a father. Daycare was expensive so I watched him for half the week and on top of it all I had Army ROTC which junior year is the most intensive year. How did you explain a bad year and where would you explain it? I know I'm a far ways away from even applying but since COVID-19 is all the rage I'd like to here from you. My son is what made me want to be a doctor but my own immaturity dragged my grades down. Thanks!

 

[deleted859689]

So I'm about to graduate with a B.S. Geography (3.4 GPA) in about 3 weeks and go right to work. I'll be starting a DIY PostBacc as the only BCPM classes I have are 2 math courses that I had to take to graduate (Algebra & Statistics). Looking back at my undergrad career my GPA took a drastic dip my junior year. I had a positive trend my first two years but then I dropped to a 2.9 GPA when averaging out the junior year semesters. Not to sound like I'm making excuses but my wonderful son was born that year, right before school, and being a 20 year old, I didn't know how to handle being a full-time student, working and being a father. Daycare was expensive so I watched him for half the week and on top of it all I had Army ROTC which junior year is the most intensive year. How did you explain a bad year and where would you explain it? I know I'm a far ways away from even applying but since COVID-19 is all the rage I'd like to here from you. My son is what made me want to be a doctor but my own immaturity dragged my grades down. Thanks!

I had sub 3.0 science GPA. I didn’t explain it anywhere on my app unless I was asked. I did an SMP and had close to a 4.0 in graduate classes before doing the SMP. I let my application speak for itself and highlighted finding passion in medicine more recently*** as the only thing I want in life.

Of course life happens, but as a father, having a child was a choice for you. Definitely don’t use that as an excuse, but highlight it when talking about your reason to pursue medicine!

 

[Nate_Dawg]

I had sub 3.0 science GPA. I didn’t explain it anywhere on my app unless I was asked. I did an SMP and had close to a 4.0 in graduate classes before doing the SMP. I let my application speak for itself and highlighted finding passion in medicine more recently*** as the only thing I want in life.

Of course life happens, but as a father, having a child was a choice for you. Definitely don’t use that as an excuse, but highlight it when talking about your reason to pursue medicine!

That makes sense! Turn a hardship into something positive. I'd never want to use him as an excuse, thanks for the reply!

 

[Goro]

So I'm about to graduate with a B.S. Geography (3.4 GPA) in about 3 weeks and go right to work. I'll be starting a DIY PostBacc as the only BCPM classes I have are 2 math courses that I had to take to graduate (Algebra & Statistics). Looking back at my undergrad career my GPA took a drastic dip my junior year. I had a positive trend my first two years but then I dropped to a 2.9 GPA when averaging out the junior year semesters. Senior year has been my best ending with a 4.0 this semester! Not to sound like I'm making excuses but my wonderful son was born that year, right before school, and being a 20 year old, I didn't know how to handle being a full-time student, working and being a father. Daycare was expensive so I watched him for half the week and on top of it all I had Army ROTC which junior year is the most intensive year. How did you explain a bad year and where would you explain it? I know I'm a far ways away from even applying but since COVID-19 is all the rage I'd like to here from you. My son is what made me want to be a doctor but my own immaturity dragged my grades down. Thanks!

A) You do NOT explain it unless specifically asked about it.
B) You tell the truth.

 

[NTF]

Turn a hardship into something positive.

This 👍. Just be prepared to talk about how that experience taught you important lessons that allowed you to rock it your senior year and your DIY post-bacc when asked. Adcoms appreciate life experience and narratives of resiliency, recovery and success.