PhD/PsyD Mentioning low grades in SOP

[bre333]

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[KW58D]

Bre333,

Do not mention such personal details in your SOP. There are some recent threads on SOP writing that will give you excellent guidance in this. I don't think it is necessary to explain a rough start. These things happen. Focus on your strengths and why you're a good fit for the program.

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Bre333,

Do not mention such personal details in your SOP. There are some recent threads on SOP writing that will give you excellent guidance in this. I don't think it is necessary to explain a rough start. These things happen. Focus on your strengths and why you're a good fit for the program.

This. Do not mention this, it only draws attention to yourself. Solely focus on the strengths you have, but if you interview be prepared to answer, "what do you think your greatest weakness is?" Then come up with a compelling answer.

 

[bre333]

Thanks for the feedback! I definitely won't mention it then, I was already finding it difficult to make it fit in with the rest of my statement.
One follow up question: since the GPA of my last two years is significantly higher than my total GPA, and I do have positive trend, should I try and mention my junior/senior GPA elsewhere in my application, (CV maybe) or if I seem like a good enough fit would they look for that on my transcript without me mentioning it?
Thanks!

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Thanks for the feedback! I definitely won't mention it then, I was already finding it difficult to make it fit in with the rest of my statement.
One follow up question: since the GPA of my last two years is significantly higher than my total GPA, and I do have positive trend, should I try and mention my junior/senior GPA elsewhere in my application, (CV maybe) or if I seem like a good enough fit would they look for that on my transcript without me mentioning it?
Thanks!

If you have graduated, put your GPA on your CV, otherwise don't.

 

[WisNeuro]

Places generally look at your last two years a little closer than your first two years anyway. They will also look at your psych GPA separately, no need to specifically mention it.

 

[neuronic]

Also, a lot of applicants likely will have lower freshman grades due to numerous factors (e.g., transitioning to college away from home, and suffering through the premed Bio and Chem courses).

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Also, a lot of applicants likely will have lower freshman grades due to numerous factors (e.g., transitioning to college away from home, and suffering through the premed Bio and Chem courses).

More like physics...

 

[psypsypsy]

If you're really worried, I know that people have had one of their letter-writers address the issue. For example, the letter-writer stating there was a rough freshman year, but bre333 really pulled it together and the later years are much more representative of her ability, and I (as the letter-writer) am completely confident of bre333's academic abilities. Then it doesn't sound like you defending it, and I think the justification works well coming from someone else.

 

[bre333]

that's a good idea, thanks!
Also, note for people who have this issue: I actually talked with the PI i'm working with right now (he's on his grad school's admissions committee for the clinical program), and he said that he would phrase it with zero negatives, and place your performance in context--for example, I have a positive trend and in my last two years when I did really well, I was on academic overload and was taking advanced classes. So instead of saying "oh my freshman year grades were bad, but I don't think they represent me," just say something like "I found the more that I challenged myself, the better I did--my grades were best in my last two years where I was taking advanced classes and had a difficult courseload" or something. completely sidestep the negative part.