Should I address my low gpa in personal statement?

[Ambitious.Tooth]

Hi,

So I have a low GPA, so I was wondering, in my personal statement and explain the reasons why I got a low GPA? or rather just ignore it and show what I've done post my graduation to overcome it without directly addressing it?

Would appreciate your insight on this.

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[free99]

Moving to pre-dental

 

[Flemish]

Your personal statement is all about who you are, why you want to be a dentist, and some of the measures you've taken to make it so. There's only so many characters you can use to convey that.

There will likely be different opinions on that matter, but I think you should focus on what makes you unique instead of trying to convince adcoms to overlook your gpa. There will probably be other essay prompts in supplementals and such if you wish to address it directly.

 

[klownzo]

I didn't mention it at all in my personal statement. It was brought up during my interview and I explained it then. Use your personal statement to talk about your journey to dentistry and why dentistry. Focus on positive things. They'll see your gpa regardless of mentioning it in your personal statement

 

[chives_irvine]

The personal statement isn't the place for justifying a low GPA. There is a section in the application where you can explain extenuating circumstances and then you can talk about it. I've been told to be careful with that though. "I took some hard classes and was overwhelmed" looks a lot worse than "my parents were getting divorced so I struggled that semester". There will be places to focus on what you have done to overcome. Also, they will definitely ask you about it in interviews if it is a concern

 

[DDSER1]

You should never write anything in a personal statement that can put you in a negative light. You wanna talk about your strengths, goals, and your passion for dentistry.

 

[blcopp]

If you do talk about it, be really blunt and honest about the reasons. Don't make it seem like you're making excuses.

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[periopocket]

Talk about personal growth and eventually excelling in studies vs highlighting the lows. Maybe talk about the highs, the point we're everything clicked.


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[pgex2t]

Only if it helps what you're trying to tell adcoms about yourself. I did, but not obsessively.

 

[DMDDDSHopeful]

As long as it ties into a personal struggle and overcoming it. If you still have a low GPA and you'll just say you had other things going on, leave it out. Personal statement isn't about excuses. It's about your story getting into dentistry, why you belong, and, hopefully, an overall inspirational story to share.

 

[dentalgoal team]

You should explain why you had a low gpa and how you improved it over the course of your undergraduate career.

 

[dentalabscessed]

Lol don't listen to @dentalgoal team.. Highlight the good stuff in your PS - why you are passionate, how your experiences shaped your perspective + motivations and how they prepared you for this field.

If you really want to explain what happened, there's a section on the AADSAS under Background specifically for that. "Has your education ever been interrupted or affected adversely for reasons other than deficiencies in conduct or academic performance?" and a box for 600 characters. I used this space to talk about stalker harassment during my first year. 2 interviewers asked about it, and it wasn't a big deal. Whatever your situation was, interviewers are usually mature adults and they understand bad things happen.

 

[dentalgoal team]

Lol don't listen to @dentalgoal team.. Highlight the good stuff in your PS - why you are passionate, how your experiences shaped your perspective + motivations and how they prepared you for this field.

If you really want to explain what happened, there's a section on the AADSAS under Background specifically for that. "Has your education ever been interrupted or affected adversely for reasons other than deficiencies in conduct or academic performance?" and a box for 600 characters. I used this space to talk about stalker harassment during my first year. 2 interviewers asked about it, and it wasn't a big deal. Whatever your situation was, interviewers are usually mature adults and they understand bad things happen.

Explaining how you overcame obstacles required to improve your GPA over the course of the academic year is one of the most powerful ways of explaining how your experiences prepare you for the field. That way you can turn a NEGATIVE part of your application into a POSITIVE one, rather than brushing the biggest component of your application under the rug without explaining it. Good luck with 1st year 😉

 

[gangazi]

I wrote a few sentences about my academic struggles in the past on my PS. Received 9 interviews and few acceptances, so I don't think it's going to make or break your chances.
But one thing I noticed was that you have plenty of chances to explain your academic struggles on the supplemental applications.
With that said, if you think that you would regret not writing about your struggles on your PS, talk about it, but in a way that shows how you have overcome it.
Good luck OP!

 

[dentalabscessed]

That way you can turn a NEGATIVE part of your application into a POSITIVE one, rather than brushing the biggest component of your application under the rug without explaining it. Good luck with 1st year 😉

With that said, if you think that you would regret not writing about your struggles on your PS, talk about it, but in a way that shows how you have overcome it.
Good luck OP!

You guys are completely right, I change my stance. Admissions will wonder if you can handle the rigor of dental school and what you have done post-graduation to prove you can. A few sentences of explanation is usually 👍 no dwelling.

 

[baseball0079]

Hi,

So I have a low GPA, so I was wondering, in my personal statement and explain the reasons why I got a low GPA? or rather just ignore it and show what I've done post my graduation to overcome it without directly addressing it?

Would appreciate your insight on this.

I would not mention it in your personal statement. Personal statements should reflect on number one the question "why Dentistry" and a time to tell them who you are, any impacting experiences in your life, your attributes that you will bring to a dental school, etc.