How to effectively explain downward trend in GPA for interview?

[JohnFe]

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I did my search and there is no thread about this. Anyway, if the interview is open file and they have access on my pharmcass GPA, they most likely will ask me about this.

GPA Trend:
Freshman: 4.0
Sophomore: 4.0
Junior: 3.5
Senior: 3.2
cGPA: 3.40
sGPA: 3.55
And my question is, how can I effectively explain my downward trend in GPA without sounding whiny or can't handle the pharmacy curriculum? I'm 20, I have no kids, I don't have a job or anything during that time.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[riggylou]

Well upper division classes should be more challenging than your freshman classes. It's not bad to be honest and just say that the courseload and the material really challenged you. Then you can spin it positive like even though you didn't get a perfect A that you enjoyed learning the concepts and feel like you really retained what you learned. Or, something to that effect..! Those are still solid enough grades that I doubt they will ask. USC didn't even seem to look at my grades at all? They just circled and made notes on my personal statement and asked me about that stuff.

 

[riggylou]

I know this is semi-off topic but I know you applied at USC so I just wanted to add that I didn't like the open file experience. I felt like it took some of the wind out of my sail from not being able to explain my own background and accomplishments. I normally use that first 'tell us about yourself' time to say all that and spin it as a positive and instead it felt stilted...."so you did this....and then you did this?".. I liked what I wrote in my personal statement..I think if he read it as a whole and got the feel of what I said and then put it down without dissecting it that it would have been a better interview. But, I hope your experience is better!

 

[JohnFe]

Thanks guys for the reply. Honesty is the best policy I guess but I don't really know how to articulate it effectively. I can't really go back to school and rise my GPA. I am bagging my chances at USC for 2017 but I'm going full power for 2018 if I don't get in. >_< Really hope to get in :/

 

[NoPlanB]

most likely the won't ask you to explain it. If you got invite for the interview, they are probably satisfied with your grades.

 

[xtsukiyox]

most likely the won't ask you to explain it. If you got invite for the interview, they are probably satisfied with your grades.

This. Also, the answer up-thread about courses being more challenging as an upperclassman. Spin it as a positive, somehow - upper division courses really challenged me to learn about the subject matter in detail and cemented my interest in pharmacy, or the like. Personalize it.

In my interview, they claimed they only had my supplemental information, so they didn't even have my grades or PCAT to ask about. Your mileage will certainly vary.

My gut feeling is that they are trying to catch you off-guard if they ask you about the trend and see how they catch you with an unexpected question. Your GPA is good.