Should I mention depression as something that contributed to my low grades?

[deleted947805]

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Hi everyone!

I am applying to an early assurance program, and one of the prompts asks about a circumstance that has adversely affected my previous academic performance in college. I am currently a sophomore, and when I was a first year I had a 4.0 the first semester, but the second semester, I had a 3.7, which averages to give a 3.89 overall GPA. Last semester has been very tough as I was struggling in my social life, I was depressed and couldn’t study, I had no family members and I was still adjusting to my environment. Is mentioning this worth it, or is it going to make me seem incapable?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dr panda]

Since when going from 4.0 to 3.7 in one year (especially freshman) became "low grades"?

 

[narla_hotep]

since the neuroticism on SDN reached entirely new levels (haha I joke, but I just gave in and made a neurotic post myself )

 

[Moko]

circumstance that has adversely affected my previous academic performance in college. I am currently a sophomore, and when I was a first year I had a 4.0 the first semester, but the second semester, I had a 3.7, which averages to give a 3.89 overall GPA. Last semester has been very tough as I was struggling in my social life, I was depressed and couldn’t study

1) A 3.7 is not considered a "low grade".. Only on SDN..
2) Never use depression to justify poor academic performance
3) What you described seems quite normal for many college students. Nevertheless, when in doubt, it would be prudent to be evaluated at the student health center. In general, people suffering from depression benefit from therapy and/or medications (depending on the severity, duration, and impairment from their symptoms).

 

[Dr panda]

since the neuroticism on SDN reached entirely new levels (haha I joke, but I just gave in and made a neurotic post myself )

I really want to have time machine to see what SDN will look like in 10 years (hope by those time I will have that sexy physician badge under my nickname). I think it will be something like: “grade dropped from 4.0 to 3.9999 do I need an SMP? Should I retake 527 MCAT??????” That sort of staff. And people outside top 20 will be viewed as CNAs (not to offend CNAs 🙂 ).

 

[SeaHusky]

I really want to have time machine to see what SDN will look like in 10 years (hope by those time I will have that sexy physician badge under my nickname). I think it will be something like: “grade dropped from 4.0 to 3.9999 do I need an SMP? Should I retake 527 MCAT??????” That sort of staff. And people outside top 20 will be viewed as CNAs (not to offend CNAs 🙂 ).

Jokes aside, there has to be a point where the median GPA/MCAT plateaus, right? Admissions has become so much more competitive than even half a decade ago, and I would dread being pre-med in a decade if current trends continue.

 

[Engrailed]

Jokes aside, there has to be a point where the median GPA/MCAT plateaus, right? Admissions has become so much more competitive than even half a decade ago, and I would dread being pre-med in a decade if current trends continue.

So I dont understand how the MCAT medians for schools can keep rising when the exam itself is a standardized exam. Inquiring minds want to know.

And yes, when all the T20s end up with 522+ medians, the sad premeds of the future will all have to take the Casper plus a new exam (maybe a fitness test)



Perhaps maybe even send in their step scores before submitting AMCAS for extra credit. Can’t hurt.

 

[SeaHusky]

So I dont understand how the MCAT medians for schools can keep rising when the exam itself is a standardized exam. Inquiring minds want to know.

And yes, when all the T20s end up with 522+ medians, the sad premeds of the future will all have to take the Casper plus a new exam (maybe a fitness test)



Perhaps maybe even send in their step scores before submitting AMCAS for extra credit. 😆

"You scored below the 90th percentile on your SATs? Nice 3.9/518 my friend, but unfortunately, I would consider other careers in medicine."

 

[Dr panda]

So I dont understand how the MCAT medians for schools can keep rising when the exam itself is a standardized exam. Inquiring minds want to know.

And yes, when all the T20s end up with 522+ medians, the sad premeds of the future will all have to take the Casper plus a new exam (maybe a fitness test)



Perhaps maybe even send in their step scores before submitting AMCAS for extra credit. Can’t hurt.

Polygraph, performance at elementary school, fluency in at least 5 languages, Nature pub, oh wait... Walter, this is your time to come into play!

 

[Engrailed]

Polygraph, performance at elementary school, fluency in at least 5 languages, Nature pub, oh wait... Walter, this is your time to come into play!

Can’t forget about getting that Harvard professorship tenure before applying

 

[Dr panda]

Can’t forget about getting that Harvard professorship tenure before applying

ditto🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[BorderlineQueen]

"You scored below the 90th percentile on your SATs? Nice 3.9/518 my friend, but unfortunately, I would consider other careers in medicine."

Perhaps you would consider being an RN or becoming an NP with those scores?

 

[deleted947805]

Question is answered. Thank you guys!