Potential Explanation Statement?

[Ragsie]

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This is my first post here so bear with me. I am applying for vet school after 2 years of school, due to the fact that I can graduate with an undergraduate degree in 3 years. I have done the majority of my pre-reqs, all I have left is another semester of physics and animal physiology to complete.

I am wondering if I should put in my explanation statement concerning my grades this past semester. My current cumulative GPA is 3.443, and last semester it was a 3.176 and the semester before that it was a 3.2 but my freshman year it was about 3.7 both semesters.

I am unsure whether to write an explanation statement because it is a controversial subject. My spring semester I found out I was pregnant during my hell-week of exams (I had 4 that same week, I was taking 17 credits including Physics, Biochem, and second semester Ochem). It was a shock to me because I was on birth control and was using a condom (just so everyone doesn't think I'm some irresponsible floozy) I guess I was just one of those really unlucky girls.

Anyways, I freaked out and did poorly on that round of exams, and I was kind of a wreck for the rest of the semester. My abortion had to be scheduled and was carried out over exam week because I was leaving the country for 1.5 months the day after my last exam. (the timing was ridiculously exact and unfortunate). I am just disappointed in my grades because I know I could have done much better in Biochem and Physics as well as a few of my other classes had I not been under such an extreme amount of stress. Not to mention I was having morning sickness and just felt horribly sick and exhausted constantly.

Do I write about this? Some people might not agree with my choice to terminate a pregnancy although I have no shame about it. I just don't want to ruin my chances by bringing up a politically hot topic. At the same time, I want to justify what I feel is a bad example of the work I am capable of producing. Any help and advice would be wonderful.

 

[moosenanny]

It sounds like you went though a lot, and I am very sympathetic! I'm just wondering why you are rushing to graduate in three years 😕 Perhaps you can take the fourth year in school and enroll in easier classes, which might raise your GPA. Then, if you get it back up to a ~3.7, you won't have to write any explanation statement.

Alternatively, you can write something very generic and uncontroversial, such as: "Due to health issues, my performance X semesters does not reflect my true potential. My health issues have been completely resolved." Admissions committees probably shouldn't hear the details, and you are not obligated to share them . . .

 

[lalzi22]

I agree with Moosenanny in asking whats the rush? You can only be young for so long, so take some time to enjoy the ride while you can. But, enough on that.

I don't think I would say something as generic as "health problems" just because I feel LOTS of people end up saying that when they end up having pneumonia or something that is not even on the same PLANE as an abortion. "Health reasons" doesn't even begin to encompass what I'm sure you went through, so while I agree that saying abortion may be a politically hot topic and maybe you shouldn't say that, I would say something more than just "Health problems".

 

[breenie]

Do I write about this?

Short answer: no.

 

[BlacKAT33]

I wouldnt write about it. Your GPA is still good/ok. I applied with a 3.4 and got 3 interviews from school. This is a really controversial subject so I'd only write about it if you got a 2.0 a couple semesters or something really bad. If you write it in the explanation statement it is free game to ask about during the interview and you dont want to be talking about that to a pro-life person.

If you don't get in somewhere when you apply early id take another year of classes in upper levels, do well, and that proves you are really the 3.7GPA girl and something happened in the middle.

If you have the experience, good eLORs and good PS there is no reason why you wouldnt get some interviews when you apply with that GPA

 

[luplodw]

I doubt many schools would seriously consider accepting someone early unless they have a high GPA and have taken many upper level classes. If you are just barely meeting the requirements and haven't taken more upper level courses then i'd reconsider applying. Maturity is a huge thing that schools want (I don't know how old you are so I don't know if this pertains to you)...so it's harder for younger people to get accepted.

It sounds like I'm discouraging you...and i'm not. I just want you to really think about why you are applying this year. If you really think that you are ready and that you are competitive then you should totally apply!! I mean it may cost money but it is a good practice round at the very least

Oh and i'd mention it for sure. I mean it was a huge event that happened in your life and has shaped you into the person you are today... plus since you are applying early it would be nice to show that you can handle the classes and that it wasn't just laziness that brought down your GPA

 

[xxalic3xx]

In regards to taking easy classes during your last year to boost up GPA, I've heard from my adviser and other friends that the acdoms will know if you are just taking classes to boost up your GPA or not..for example, if you take most or all lower level classes in your last year. Just a note on that.

I don't think you should rush it to graduate in 3 years. You can spread out your work more in 4 years and in the meantime get more experience.

 

[nyanko]

Separate from the issue of rushing through undergrad, I was going to PM you this but decided that it may help others in similar situations, so I'm posting it instead.

Whether you choose to say it in your ES or not, I definitely sympathize. I went through the same thing my second year of undergrad (except I WAS an irresponsible floozy, at least with all the chemicals in me. 😉). I chose not to mention it, as I had a recent ADHD diagnosis and felt that one stigmatized, potentially polarizing thing in the explanation statement was quite enough. I just said that I made some poor decisions and owning up to the necessary consequence of those decisions caused a major disruption in my social and academic functioning, and left it at that.

Good luck!

 

[hellohelloduh]

There are several easy upper divs that she can take, too, though. I know for a fact that at my school, psychology upper divs are known to be rather easy...in fact, the upper divs are generally easier for a lot of the majors than the pre-requisite classes.

As far as the statement, I'd say to avoid the topic. Obviously it's a big part of your life, but it's probably not something you'd want the admissions people to know while they are considering your application (they might make unfounded judgments of character).

Your GPA still seems pretty good to me. Keep your grades up from now on, rock the GRE, and get that experience 🙂

Also, I'm sorry to hear about the abortion. If I were in your shoes I'd get one, too, but I think it would haunt me. How are you coping with that now? If you don't mind me asking, were you in a relationship with the guy and if so, did it change anything between you? I'm worried that if that happened to me it would have a major impact on my relationship. 🙁 Okay getting way too personal here, perhaps, haha

 

[that redhead]

I was in just about the same situation as you, but my GPA was much more impacted than yours: 2.4 is the low point on my transcript. I've been on the fence about mentioning it because of the controversial nature of the problem. I don't want to say "health problem" but I don't know what to say. I guess I just don't want anyone to think I'm making excuses.

Let me know what you decide to do - may help my own decision.

 

[david594]

I am wondering if I should put in my explanation statement concerning my grades this past semester. My current cumulative GPA is 3.443, and last semester it was a 3.176 and the semester before that it was a 3.2 but my freshman year it was about 3.7 both semesters.

I am unsure whether to write an explanation statement because it is a controversial subject. My spring semester I found out I was pregnant during my hell-week of exams (I had 4 that same week, I was taking 17 credits including Physics, Biochem, and second semester Ochem).

So the GPA flow chart:

3.7 -> 3.7 -> 3.2 -> 3.176 (with pregnancy)

You had 2 "bad" semesters, but only have an excuse for the latter one? What happened during the first one where you got a 3.2?

I cannot see the value in throwing out some unnecessary and controversial information about yourself to explain a GPA(that isn't that bad) when you had the same GPA the semester before with no excuse. I don't see any real benefit in it for ya.

 

[sumstorm]

I honestly believe a parasitic creature (fetus) is a health issue. You would have needed health care no matter what options you chose (hence why there are ob's.) The challenge is that you generally have to have some way of showing you recovered (ie another semester of better grades.)

If you don't want to say health problem, use Nyanko's style of statement; succinct, clear, takes responsibility, shows maturity and resolution. I wouldn't go into the details of any health issue, but particularly not a controversial one, unless it directly relates to why you are entering vet med. If you don't bring up details, they can't ask...if you do, they can ask and use it in evaluating your application for admission. Use the protections the ADA has helped develope.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Use the protections the ADA has helped develope.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the ADA? I immediately thought of the American Dental Association (4 out of 5 dentists who chew gum, choose wrigley's)..... but somehow that didn't fit😕

 

[parietal]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is the ADA? I immediately thought of the American Dental Association (4 out of 5 dentists who chew gum, choose wrigley's)..... but somehow that didn't fit😕

Americans with Disabilities Act.

 

[StartingoverVet]

Americans with Disabilities Act.

Thx! Now I know.

 

[david594]

If you don't bring up details, they can't ask...if you do, they can ask and use it in evaluating your application for admission. Use the protections the ADA has helped develope.

What criteria does the OP fall under that would qualify her for ADA protection?

 

[BlacKAT33]

What criteria does the OP fall under that would qualify her for ADA protection?

i was thinking the same thing but didn't want to sound like an idiot!! but i guess it is a reasonable Q since someone else is thinking it

 

[sumstorm]

ADA protections aren't limited to those with disabilities. They protect medical status as well, including mental health. Ie you take six months off for depression, even without medical treatment, if you list it as a medical issue, you can't be asked 'what medical issue?' when being considered as an applicant (job or school.) they can ask if it is will affect your ability to perform the required tasks.

Remember that disabilities are pretty broad. If you break your wrist as a bovine practitioner that does a lot of palpations, you are disabled, at least for the short term, possibly long term, hopefully not permanently.

So the regulations developed and defended by the ADA protect medical history and status of all individuals, not just permanently disabled, but some programs are limited to the permenantly or profoundly disabled.

I didn't know any of this stuff till I started working in upper management and had to take seminars on hiring and selecting interns and residents.