Inconsistent Academic Performance Secondary Question

[orthosurghopeful]

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Hey all, apologies in advance if this question has already been posted elsewhere. So I'm pre-writing some of my secondaries and I noticed that at least a few ask something like: "Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores" (Albany's, for example). I had a low GPA freshman year (upward trend), but no other educational gaps, withdrawals, etc. Should I use this space to talk about my freshman year grades, or leave it blank?

 

[deleted972488]

I think it depends on how low your freshman year GPA was.

 

[907914]

Hey all, apologies in advance if this question has already been posted elsewhere. So I'm pre-writing some of my secondaries and I noticed that at least a few ask something like: "Please explain any inconsistencies in your university, graduate, or professional school academic performance and/or MCAT scores" (Albany's, for example). I had a low GPA freshman year (upward trend), but no other educational gaps, withdrawals, etc. Should I use this space to talk about my freshman year grades, or leave it blank?

If it is anything other than “Difficulty adjusting as a freshman” then it may be worthwhile.

 

[orthosurghopeful]

I think it depends on how low your freshman year GPA was.

If it is anything other than “Difficulty adjusting as a freshman” then it may be worthwhile.

3.2/2.6 so ~2.9

I had mono during finals week second semester so maybe I'll mention that. Thanks!

 

[907914]

3.2/2.6 so ~2.9

I had mono during finals week second semester so maybe I'll mention that. Thanks!

“I was bedridden/hospitalized due to an infectious illness during finals week of my Freshmen spring.”

Although, 2.9 is not THAT bad if the rest is bueno.

 

[ThetisAntithesis]

Following.
I've heard to leave these questions blank.
What's the general consensus?

 

[907914]

Following.
I've heard to leave these questions blank.
What's the general consensus?

I mean, if you took 2 years off in between to have a child and get your ish together...then yah, fill it out...

Or a large gap, a large dip (think a V shaped GPA trend). They wouldn’t ask if they didn’t want to know, and if you can write it in a way that it ISN’T an excuse...

 

[ThetisAntithesis]

I had a rising science GPA until senior yr - 3.4 in Jnr yr down to 2.8... Ouch!
Can't think of anything except a bad breakup combined with a full courseload...
Sounds like I'd be making an excuse.
Ugh!

 

[907914]

I had a rising science GPA until senior yr - 3.4 in Jnr yr down to 2.8... Ouch!
Can't think of anything except a bad breakup combined with a full courseload...
Sounds like I'd be making an excuse.
Ugh!

“Inconsistency in my social situation induced stress from unreliable support and coping mechanisms.”

 

[MyOdyssey]

“Inconsistency in my social situation induced stress from unreliable support and coping mechanisms.”

Are you sure having a very vague response is better than no response at all?

I'd be curious to hear from anyone who's actually answered this question and then had follow up questions at the interview.

 

[907914]

Are you sure having a very vague response is better than no response at all?

I'd be curious to hear from anyone who's actually answered this question and then had follow up questions at the interview.

I would be interested as well.

My logic with this would basically be "The school wouldn't ask if they didn't want to know."

 

[deleted939001]

“Inconsistency in my social situation induced stress from unreliable support and coping mechanisms.”

OP, do NOT state a lack of coping skills as a reason for poor grades - no matter how bad the breakup.

 

[Moko]

OP, do NOT state a lack of coping skills as a reason for poor grades - no matter how bad the breakup.

Absolutely agree. Outright stating that you lack support and coping mechanisms is an invitation for adcoms to weed your application out.

Are you sure having a very vague response is better than no response at all?

I'd be curious to hear from anyone who's actually answered this question and then had follow up questions at the interview.

You only need to divulge as much or as little information that you're comfortable with. Adcoms can read in between the lines. Anything on the application is fair game for the interview. And many times, no answer is better than an answer that gets seen as being neurotic, whiny or BS.

This question is geared more towards folks with extenuating circumstances, such as prolonged illness in themselves or a family member, death in the family, leave of absences, etc. It isn't the time to make excuses, e.g by blaming bad luck, bad test days, etc... that just sounds whiny and is more likely to backfire. If someone started college unprepared but then had a very strong GPA the subsequent years, this would be a good place to mention the resources that they utilized that lead to the academic turnaround. Having the insight to know when to seek help is a positive trait! Hope this helps.

 

[907914]

“Inconsistency in my social situation induced stress from unreliable support and coping mechanisms.”

Absolutely agree. Outright stating that you lack support and coping mechanisms is an invitation for adcoms to weed your application out.

Disregard my word choice, OP. Didn't think about the interpretation of you lacking coping mechanisms!

 

[ThetisAntithesis]

Thanks all.
Sorry original original poster didn't mean to hijack your thread.