Mentioning first semester stumbles in your PS

[Espressso]

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I've heard mixed opinions on this. I had a horrible first college semester (2.7 after a retake) but then I improved to get a 3.6 in my spring semester, and have had a strong upward trend ever since.

Is it necessary to address previous academic problems in your PS? Or should it strictly focus on why medicine? and the explanations of a poor first college semester can be addressed later in secondary essays?

I already mention this in the application where it asks about IA. That first semester placed me on academic probation at my UG university, but with the successful spring semester, I was taken off probationary status right after that second semester.

I feel as if talking about why I did horrible my first college semester would ruin my PS.

Thanks in advance, friends!

 

[Doctor Strange]

Don't. Your PS is about why you want to be a doctor.

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[MD2BE92]

Don't. You're PS is about why you want to be a doctor.

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This^ and FWIW PSs are BS. Just tell them what they wanna hear and address difficulties/stumbles in your secondary if they ask or in an interview. Maybe I'm a little jaded but you can't honestly expect Adcoms to give a darn about 1/3000 applicant's minutiae in their PS when all it is, is a conversation piece or director for interviews as a refresher. It won't make or break you if it is somewhat normal.

 

[Espressso]

Great, thank you all!