Interview: Why were your grades low for that semester?

[eleanor_rigby]

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I'm currently a senior and my GPA is 3.55 and my science GPA is pretty much the same. I've been getting all A's on my exams in upper level courses this year and I'm pretty sure my GPA will be much higher when I apply next year.

I had a semester sophomore year where I withdrew from all of my classes and have all W's on my transcript for that semester and the following semester I got A's, C's and a D(did eventually retake) unlike getting straight A's freshmen year. I just didn't have it together at the time and wasn't really sure what I wanted to pursue after graduating. I don't really have any excuses. I went back to getting all A's for the most part junior year and I'm doing well right now.

Would it hurt during interviews to be honest and just say that it was my mistake and I have no excuses and I'm confident that I can do well seeing that my grades are back in good standing?

 

[Regmata]

I had several awful semesters, and I mean awful. They didn't come up once in an interview. However, make sure you are prepared to answer the question. Be somewhat honest, although don't insinuate that you have some underlying personal flaw that caused you to tank a semester. You were unclear of your priorities at the time, therefore they were not properly ordered. It was unfortunate, but the problem has been remedied, you know what you want and what you have to do to get it. In short, you have moved on and are working hard towards your goal and have not and will not deviate from your path again.

 

[Vapor1122]

Heh, I blew a few semesters with a 2.5 in the fall and three Ws in the spring. Got too involved with my new job and didn't realize it until it was too late. I quit working there and got my head back on and hit the ground running from that point on, with GPAs in the upper 3s for the next three semesters.

Two interviews next month -- NYU and Buffalo. I'm not going to sugarcoat my story if they ask, just tell them what the hell happened and make it clear that I know what I'm doing now.

Should be interesting.

 

[PDizzle]

Blame it on dope. That should work.

 

[Montserrat]

Be candid, but don't go into self-pity mode and recant all the wrong things you've done in life.

 

[PorkChop2008]

Or you could say your cousin was knocked up and you spent the year sweating to see if it was yours, and your lack of focus is what dropped your grades?

Seriously though, a downward spiral in grades in your junior and senior year is much worse than what happened to you. My gpa dropped drastically during the end of my junior beginning of my senior year and it's hurt my chances at getting in. That came straight from the dean of the one school that has rejected me so far this year.

 

[eleanor_rigby]

Got too involved with my new job and didn't realize it until it was too late.

I placed myself in a pretty similar position. I knew I wanted to work in a health-related field, but I couldn't really solidify my decision so I was working part-time at a pharmacy, working part-time as a med assistant, and volunteering in every department at the hospital as a student volunteer. I guess I have a tendency of being a bit indecisive, but I completely forgot about dentistry at the time and didn't bother to shadow anyone. Taking 7-8 classes without work during freshmen year was a breeze, so I thought I could handle the same class load along with work, but I guess I got a bit overwhelmed at the time.

I'm going to need to carefully state my answer if they ask me during interviews.

 

[supraman]

Say you had some family issues, you had to pay for your loans, and had to do something like that. I fluked one semester, did pretty crappy, but came out of it strong

 

[jeezy]

i think you have to go with dope. just say that your roommates friend had some really kine bud. you know that skunk stuff.. then pull some out of your pocket and show them. not only did it work, but i sold them an eighth

 

[supraman]

i think you have to go with dope. just say that your roommates friend had some really kine bud. you know that skunk stuff.. then pull some out of your pocket and show them. not only did it work, but i sold them an eighth

 

[eleanor_rigby]

Say you had some family issues, you had to pay for your loans, and had to do something like that. I fluked one semester, did pretty crappy, but came out of it strong

No, those examples are easy excuses. Schools know that you are not obligated to pay back loans until graduation or as long as you are still enrolled in school, your payments can be waived. As for family issues, it can end up being a double-edged sword. Either I manage to pull the bluff and gain a little sympathy, or they question whether or not I have the mentality to achieve and overcome whatever circumstances are thrown out at me. They can easily ask what would I do if the same problem were to arise while I'm in grad school? They obviously don't want someone who's going to choke and want someone who can pull through in light of difficult circumstances.