Is there a way to explain a low semester GPA on the AMCAS Application?

[xxhopefulxx]

So last semester I took a heavier course load. In December my cousin unexpectedly committed suicide. It was extremely hard on me and my family. I pretty much did awful on my finals, and therefore my final grades were lower than what I expected. I just wanted to know if there was a way to explain this particular semester in AMCAS or would I have to wait until I was invited to an interview to discuss it? I would hate for this one semester to possibly keep me out of getting interview invites when I apply.

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[xXIDaShizIXx]

So last semester I took a heavier course load. In December my cousin unexpectedly committed suicide. It was extremely hard on me and my family. I pretty much did awful on my finals, and therefore my final grades were lower than what I expected. I just wanted to know if there was a way to explain this particular semester in AMCAS or would I have to wait until I was invited to an interview to discuss it? I would hate for this one semester to possibly keep me out of getting interview invites when I apply.

You could in the personal statement, but most don't recommend it (because that is to put you in the best light). I would wait until the interviews and tell them. Good luck OP.🙂

 

[EnergyDrink]

Don't put it in your PS unless it made you want to go into medicine, otherwise it sounds like you're playing pity.

 

[SpecterGT260]

some secondaries may have areas for this as well

 

[EBTrailRunner]

My opinion: don't bring it up unless asked during interviews.

 

[StoicJosher]

some secondaries may have areas for this as well

This...

My opinion: don't bring it up unless asked during interviews.

... and this.

One semester of bad grades isn't going to kill you. Do well from now on.

 

[1TB4RKSB4CK]

PS should show your strengths and passion for medicine.

 

[xxhopefulxx]

Thank you all for the responses...I talked to my pre med advisor a little about it and he said to talk about in my PS ...I really don't want to for the reasons you all mentioned above...I want to talk about why I want to go into medicine not come across as someone trying to get pity.

 

[LizzyM]

The AMCAS and the software my school uses to display applicant information provides gpa (and in the case of AMCAS science gpa and non-science gpa as well as total gpa) by year in school, not by semester or quarter. So, as long as you do very well for the rest of the academic year, the poorer score in the Fall is going to be mitigated.

You may find a way that works a mention of the difficulties you experienced in December 2011 into your PS or into a secondary but do consider that this draws attention to your poor grades (which may have otherwise gone unnoticed, rather than rationalizing them). Furthermore, it raises a question about your ability to remain strong academically in the face of an acute situation. Are you going to flunk your med school exams if something horrible happens to a family member? What did you learn from this previous event to prevent a recurrence of poor academic performance in the event of another catastrophic loss?

 

[SpecterGT260]

what are we defining as "poor" grades? I had 3 semesters of 3.0 very early in college. Pulled it up and maintained a 3.8+ until I graduated, but the point here is that a single semester is not going to be too much of a red flag for an adcom. They look specifically for upward trends (although don't get carried away and try to stack your grades that way.... met someone once who took this too literally and aimed low intentionally freshman year....)

The only way that I would specifically mention 1 semester in a secondary or essay is if my overall GPA was strongly affected. If your cGPA is still in the 3.6+ range I would not say anything about it.

 

[xxhopefulxx]

Thank you everyone for you advice and insight.