Should I Address Failed Class in PS?

[LebronJames35]

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[popopopop]

PS is about why you want to become a physician, not to address holes in your application. It's better to have a convincing narrative than focus on a negative. You wouldn't be applying unless your gpa is in fair standing, right?

P.S. Warriors in 5

 

[Dr.Kat]

I have withdrawals spread out over 3 years due to a concussion and other health issues and one F in orgo 2. Retook it at another college closer to home, got an A and transferred the credit. Adcoms will see this F on my transcript, so is it better to mention it briefly in PS or not?

Conflicted on bringing it up bc I don't want to fixate on a negative part of my app, but don't want them to think I failed the class due to incompetency. I've gotten a wide range of advice from "ofc you should address it and clear up the situation, they'll see the F regardless" to "apply as a disadvantaged applicant, talk about how you've moved on" to "don't bring it up unless asked about it and then downplay as much as possible". All are valid points but I don't know if I should address it on my own first. Is there anyone in a similar situation who has been admitted?

is it pertinent to your reason as to why you want to pursue medicine? if so, then of course mention it. if not, then no. there will be many chances to talk about missteps/drawbacks in your secondary responses.

 

[Dr.Kat]

P.S. Warriors in 5

what's a ps warrior?

 

[Med Ed]

I have withdrawals spread out over 3 years due to a concussion and other health issues and one F in orgo 2. Retook it at another college closer to home, got an A and transferred the credit. Adcoms will see this F on my transcript, so is it better to mention it briefly in PS or not?

Conflicted on bringing it up bc I don't want to fixate on a negative part of my app, but don't want them to think I failed the class due to incompetency. I've gotten a wide range of advice from "ofc you should address it and clear up the situation, they'll see the F regardless" to "apply as a disadvantaged applicant, talk about how you've moved on" to "don't bring it up unless asked about it and then downplay as much as possible". All are valid points but I don't know if I should address it on my own first. Is there anyone in a similar situation who has been admitted?

It's difficult to give you sound advice without knowing more about your transcript. What is your cGPA and sGPA? Do the W's and F stick out across a background of otherwise solid grades, or is there a discernible pattern of struggling with academics?

Also, do you plan on incorporating your history of concussion into your PS? Was it the result of athletics or an accident?

 

[popopopop]

what's a ps warrior?

postscript, Golden State Warriors to win the championship (maybe)

 

[Dr.Kat]

postscript, Golden State Warriors to win the championship (maybe)

i don't get it

 

[zerox117]

I wouldn't. I feel like thats something they'd ask at an interview if they cared enough to do so. Stick to your motivations to pursue medicine in your PS.

 

[Goro]

I have withdrawals spread out over 3 years due to a concussion and other health issues and one F in orgo 2. Retook it at another college closer to home, got an A and transferred the credit. Adcoms will see this F on my transcript, so is it better to mention it briefly in PS or not?

Conflicted on bringing it up bc I don't want to fixate on a negative part of my app, but don't want them to think I failed the class due to incompetency. I've gotten a wide range of advice from "ofc you should address it and clear up the situation, they'll see the F regardless" to "apply as a disadvantaged applicant, talk about how you've moved on" to "don't bring it up unless asked about it and then downplay as much as possible". All are valid points but I don't know if I should address it on my own first. Is there anyone in a similar situation who has been admitted?

The PS is for Why Medicine? and Who Am I?

Save explanations for secondaries.

 

[hopefuldoctor93]

The PS is for Why Medicine? and Who Am I?

Save explanations for secondaries.

What about for someone who has a low GPA due to F's and C's, but a strong upward trend. Should I address it slightly in the PS and fully explain in a secondary. The low GPA was caused by one of my reasons for why medicine.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using SDN mobile

 

[Med Ed]

I dont plan on incorporating the concussion into my PS. It was an accident. My cGPA is a 3.74, sGPA 3.61(?). The Ws and F stick out across a background of otherwise solid grades.

In your case I would not bother explaining the F (or W's) in your PS. It might make decent fodder for secondaries, and it might come up in interviews, but an isolated bad grade merely suggests that something unfortunate yet transient happened. No big deal, IMHO.

 

[Goro]

What about for someone who has a low GPA due to F's and C's, but a strong upward trend. Should I address it slightly in the PS and fully explain in a secondary. The low GPA was caused by one of my reasons for why medicine.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using SDN mobile

No mater how they're written in a PS, these always come off as excuses

Save explanations for secondaries and interviews. There are specific prompts in a number of the former for situations like you describe.