To explain a lower GPA or MCAT or not to explain

[notEinstein]

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I have always thought it was a bad idea to try and explain away a lower GPA or MCAT to adcoms.

However, there is a “graduate admissions counselor” on social medial that heavily advocates for submitting an explanation “addendum” (aka a letter uploaded to the schools portal), explaining the reason for any such lower grades. Her reasoning is that without such explanation, the school is left to their own assumptions (especially with closed file interviews and thus no opportunity to explain there).

Anyway, it got me thinking. Where do our resident admissions folks fall on this debate? Would a well worded letter that explained circumstances behind a lower performance impact you, or not?

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Could you point out where this person suggests doing this? I'd like to get the context.

 

[notEinstein]

Could you point out where this person suggests doing this? I'd like to get the context.

It’s in a video on the grad advisors tiktok page. I’ll try to grab the link after work!

 

[Butalbusaur]

I have always thought it was a bad idea to try and explain away a lower GPA or MCAT to adcoms.

However, there is a “graduate admissions counselor” on social medial that heavily advocates for submitting an explanation “addendum” (aka a letter uploaded to the schools portal), explaining the reason for any such lower grades. Her reasoning is that without such explanation, the school is left to their own assumptions (especially with closed file interviews and thus no opportunity to explain there).

Anyway, it got me thinking. Where do our resident admissions folks fall on this debate? Would a well worded letter that explained circumstances behind a lower performance impact you, or not?

Some secondaries ask you to talk about struggles in academic settings if it applies. I think it can be a positive if you highlight how you responded and continue to improve. Plus, you can give some context that isn’t really reflected elsewhere. Other than that, I would leave it up to our adcoms to answer about the letter part. Could be good, or bad. Just depends.

 

[wysdoc]

There is pretty commonly a question about any low points in your academic history in the secondary essays. I think if a school wants to hear about this, they will have it in their essay questions. In answering such an essay question I think you should keep it brief and give just one reason for extenuating circumstances leading to an unexpected low grade. The more "reasons" you give, the more they sound like excuses and sound like you are not taking ownership.

In a closed file interview, the interviewer is not seeing your file, scores, or grades, so that part of your argument makes no sense.
I think a separate letter about this would be drawing too much attention!

 

[notEinstein]

I think a separate letter about this would be drawing too much attention!

Agreed.
And thanks for responding.

 

[Goro]

I have always thought it was a bad idea to try and explain away a lower GPA or MCAT to adcoms.

However, there is a “graduate admissions counselor” on social medial that heavily advocates for submitting an explanation “addendum” (aka a letter uploaded to the schools portal), explaining the reason for any such lower grades. Her reasoning is that without such explanation, the school is left to their own assumptions (especially with closed file interviews and thus no opportunity to explain there).

Anyway, it got me thinking. Where do our resident admissions folks fall on this debate? Would a well worded letter that explained circumstances behind a lower performance impact you, or not?

Never bring attention to a negative unless specifically asked about it.