I need opinions

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Ok. Quick question. My entire college transcript shows A's and B's. Some semesters more A's others more B's and others are even. However the second semester of my senior year I have 1 C, a W, and 2 A's. Some people here may remember the story that I posted which lead to the W, there were other circumstances that lead to me getting the C. But that semester I only ended up having 10 credits and still did not do as well as I had in previous semesters. Should I write a brief explanation in the explanation statement explaining why I did not do as well my final semester of college or is it something that I should not worry about and only explain if it comes up in interviews.

 

[VeganSoprano]

If an explanation would give adcoms a better idea of what happened and why it was an anomaly, I'd do it. It can only help. If you had one C and one W at any other time in your career, I'd say don't bother, but it may be a red flag if it was in your final semester.

 

[goldielocks137]

I don't know your particular situation, but I would probably address it if you have some sort of medical/personal situation that affected your performance (provided you have a legitimate excuse, which I'm sure you do). But I would like to think the adcoms would recognize that you had stellar stats up until that point and assume there is some sort of reason. Maybe that's just me being optimistic!

BTW: I do not think that 1 C and a W is the end of the world! And many people probably would not address it in the explanation statement. But you make it sound like it is out of character for you and therefore I think you could write an explanation for it.

 

[hunterjumper12]

I think no, unless it was medically related. I had a rough semester (18 hours, and a C) and when I asked about explaining it in the explanation statement, everyone on here was like "why? That's still good!" So no, I wouldn't worry about it. However, I would be prepared to explain it to the adcoms without making excuses, and explain how you could've done it differently, and what you would do if that sort of situation arises in vet school.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Always look at the explanation section as a chance to repackage yourself as a better candidate.

If your explanation is going to sound like an excuse then don't mention it.
(i.e. my boyfriend was a jerk etc.)

If you can explain in a way that makes you a more attractive candidate then yes. I always like to say it is like the interview question: "Tell me your weakness." A good answer makes the weakness sound like a strength.

If you can show you learned from the experience and are a better person, have changed since that time and have evidence of it, were doing something so exceptional that it is worth mentioning (i.e. i was working on my nobel laureate winning essay etc), or that there were extraordinary obstacles that you overcame and still managed to survive etc, then I say go for it.

My answer: a qualified yes. Or the good ol reliable "it depends"