Valid Interview Answer?

[boogiecousins94]

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For reference my sGPA went from 2.6->2.9->3.67->3.7 While looking at Goros guide to interviews, it seems like if you have severe grade trends (in which case mine is a very steep increase) you will surely be asked about it. I just wanted opinions on how to properly articulate my response to an interviewer as I have one coming up in about 2 weeks.

So basically freshman year my first roommate was pretty bad, didnt talk at all. To exacerbate that, I somehow got put in a dorm with a lot of upperclassmen who were never around and as a result didnt make any friends my first semester. Due to that, I got a 3.3 semester 1 as I went to the library often (not great but not that bad either).

Fast forward to semester 2: I was able to switch dorms and ended up on a floor with very friendly people who went out often etc. I wanted to take advantage of this as I wanted to have friends in college and as a result I didn't study much and got a 2.6 that semester.

This continued slightly into my sophomore year as a I was still interacting with this friend group quite often. I ended with a solid 3.0 cumulative those two years combined.

I had a research experience that summer where I worked at a famous hospital etc. and it sparked my interest and made me get back to working hard. I ended with essentially a 3.7sGPA the final two semesters.

In short, when an interviewer asks why my GPA was so low, how do I word it? In my opinion its because my "transition" to college was slightly delayed to the second semester and extended into my sophomore year until my research experience "enlightenment." In all honesty it was from partying often and not studying but is that a "valid" in terms of wording? I clearly learned from this I just want to find the best way to present it when speaking. Thanks for the help

 

[mcdocky]

I would seriously question if you would make the same mistakes in med school once you have to "make friends" again. I don't suggest answering like that at all lol.

Just say that you were immature, struggled to adapt and cope with the larger work load, and it wasn't until junior year that you became aware of the consequences of your actions. So you got your **** together and worked your butt off to do well academically and that you will never make the same mistakes again.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Agree with the above. You were immature and focused on having fun rather than school, but you grew up. The upward trend is evidence of your maturing.

 

[Goro]

For reference my sGPA went from 2.6->2.9->3.67->3.7 While looking at Goros guide to interviews, it seems like if you have severe grade trends (in which case mine is a very steep increase) you will surely be asked about it. I just wanted opinions on how to properly articulate my response to an interviewer as I have one coming up in about 2 weeks.

So basically freshman year my first roommate was pretty bad, didnt talk at all. To exacerbate that, I somehow got put in a dorm with a lot of upperclassmen who were never around and as a result didnt make any friends my first semester. Due to that, I got a 3.3 semester 1 as I went to the library often (not great but not that bad either).

Fast forward to semester 2: I was able to switch dorms and ended up on a floor with very friendly people who went out often etc. I wanted to take advantage of this as I wanted to have friends in college and as a result I didn't study much and got a 2.6 that semester.

This continued slightly into my sophomore year as a I was still interacting with this friend group quite often. I ended with a solid 3.0 cumulative those two years combined.

I had a research experience that summer where I worked at a famous hospital etc. and it sparked my interest and made me get back to working hard. I ended with essentially a 3.7sGPA the final two semesters.

In short, when an interviewer asks why my GPA was so low, how do I word it? In my opinion its because my "transition" to college was slightly delayed to the second semester and extended into my sophomore year until my research experience "enlightenment." In all honesty it was from partying often and not studying but is that a "valid" in terms of wording? I clearly learned from this I just want to find the best way to present it when speaking. Thanks for the help

Just tell the truth.