Is there any place to explain a bad semester on the application?

[ToothJockey]

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I've had a family emergency come up and I'm missing multiple weeks of school, and this has caused me to drop a few classes and I'll be down to 13, or maybe even 11 credit hours. I'll also have to bust ass to keep my grades, most likely I will get some A- because I will miss too many points. This will obviously ruin my 4.0, but more importantly I feel like adcoms will look at the transcript and think I'm slacking off when it's actually the exact opposite. Is there any place to explain this bad semester on the application?

 

[deleted945327]

I've had a family emergency come up and I'm missing multiple weeks of school, and this has caused me to drop a few classes and I'll be down to 13, or maybe even 11 credit hours. I'll also have to bust ass to keep my grades, most likely I will get some A- because I will miss too many points. This will obviously ruin my 4.0, but more importantly I feel like adcoms will look at the transcript and think I'm slacking off when it's actually the exact opposite. Is there any place to explain this bad semester on the application?

It will ruin your 4.0 huh. If you think life isn’t meant to get in the way at times, you shouldn’t be applying to dental school. You can explain yourself in the interview if it’s brought up which it most likely won’t be.

 

[DDS2be123]

There is a place on the application where you can explain academic inconsistencies, but be careful not to use that space to make excuses (or come off that way to the reader). Explain the situation while also taking responsibility and you will be okay!

 

[deleted985368]

The interview is the best place to address it. There’s really no reason to draw attention to poor grades and make excuses unless a school specifically asks in their supplemental application.

The way you address a bad grade is with an upward trend in higher level courses and a good DAT score.

 

[iluvnetters]

honestly not even worth explaining or youll look like someone who cant take failure

 

[deleted945327]

honestly not even worth explaining or youll look like someone who cant take failure

It’s worth explaining if they ask. But for him/her to bring it up without them asking, I don’t think it’s necessary. Just depends on how the interview flows really.

 

[ToothJockey]

I guess my point is what it the bad semester stops me from getting interviews to places I want to get interviews at?

I understand that life gets in the way and I’m still handling it the best way possible but it’s still not good enough when you’re competing against thousands of applicants without personal problems going on. It’s not even the GPA but my course load will drop from 15-16 credits a semester to like 11 which is under the minimum for a full course load at my school. Adcoms wont interview someone who’s track record looks like a roller coaster.

 

[flossy_p]

don't worry.
you will survive

 

[macsak]

I guess my point is what it the bad semester stops me from getting interviews to places I want to get interviews at?

I understand that life gets in the way and I’m still handling it the best way possible but it’s still not good enough when you’re competing against thousands of applicants without personal problems going on. It’s not even the GPA but my course load will drop from 15-16 credits a semester to like 11 which is under the minimum for a full course load at my school. Adcoms wont interview someone who’s track record looks like a roller coaster.

the only thing you can control is doing the best you can
worrying about this now is not helping things
everyone has their issues in life, and handles them the best they can
you are NOT "competing" against thousands of people without personal problems

 

[knewstance]

I guess my point is what it the bad semester stops me from getting interviews to places I want to get interviews at?

I have a hard time seeing schools viewing someone with 3.95 vs 4.0 any differently. That 4.0 student may have been getting 93% in every class where the 3.95 may have been gotten 92.9% a few times. Does that actually indicate they are a better student/person/applicant? It's seriously not a big deal. Keep working hard, you obviously know how to do that, and you will get into the school that you are wanting to get into. It will all work out.

 

[ToothJockey]

I have a hard time seeing schools viewing someone with 3.95 vs 4.0 any differently. That 4.0 student may have been getting 93% in every class where the 3.95 may have been gotten 92.9% a few times. Does that actually indicate they are a better student/person/applicant? It's seriously not a big deal. Keep working hard, you obviously know how to do that, and you will get into the school that you are wanting to get into. It will all work out.

I see your point but some schools seem that competitive. Especially for OOS. But I can compensate by scoring higher on my DAT I guess. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[ToothJockey]

If anyone cares, I did end up losing my 4.0, it will be official once final grades are in. Honestly, I'm actually kind of happy, it is almost like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders.

All I can do now is work harder on the DAT.

It would have been cool to graduate with a 4.0, but you know the saying. A 4.0 is like virginity, it's gotta go someday.

Besides, if an adcom rejects you because of 1 B/C on your transcript, that says more about them then it does about you.

 

[flossy_p]

Yea don’t worry, you tried your best. It’s over. Time to move on to the next endeavor. You can do it. Kill that DAT