is it ok to write about poor grades on the "describe a problem in your life" Q?

[uclaussr]

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wdo u think its ok to answer that describe a problem in your life question by talking about getting bad grades and having poor test taking skills?

 

[eldoctor]

wdo u think its ok to answer that describe a problem in your life question by talking about getting bad grades and having poor test taking skills?

Is that really the biggest problem/challenge you've ever faced?

 

[Avoidthetiger]

wdo u think its ok to answer that describe a problem in your life question by talking about getting bad grades and having poor test taking skills?

No. Everyone's dealt with bad grades and poor study skills. It doesn't add character to your application AND it also might sound like you just trying to make excuses. NOW if you had bad grades because a family member was sick and you had to stay at home and help them, while studying, that would be OK. but even then, that might not be too interesting and also sounds like an excuse... but it's doable.

 

[mfrizzo3]

Come again?

 

[SirGecko]

Nope. Problems are more things like: I can't grow hair, I grow too much hair, I never lived in the same house for more than a year, I've never been allowed to leave my parent's basement, my dog ran off with my girlfriend and they took my truck, I killed a man in reno just to watch him die and now I'm stuck in Folsom prison (despite the warnings of my mother about playing with guns), etc. I had some bad grades one time and then got over it isn't really what they are looking for. If you need to talk about a lapse in grades or your struggle to improve them do that in a different essay. For this one try to find some other problem you have had to face. (doesn't have to be as dramatic as the examples posted above)

 

[ICanHazChBurger]

Is that really the biggest problem/challenge you've ever faced?

agreed--that is the first thing a reader would think...find something crappier to talk about

 

[Neatloaf]

Before assumptions are made, let us consider the possibility that the bad grades are literally responsible for the death of a parent. That'd be pretty rough, dudes.

 

[girlofgrace7]

I have a feeling you're referring to the "discuss how you overcame an obstacle" essays.... "describe a problem in your life" sounds like so much more fun to write! "My boyfriend/girlfriend just broke up with me a week before the MCAT. That really stunk."