What would be a good way to explain

[auburnO5]

---

Members don't see this ad.

in an interview getting a C in my orgo chem lab that I took during the summer. It is the only C I made during my undergrad and my overall GPA was a 3.85.

I know they will ask me about it because it sticks out, and I really can't think of a good positive way to spin it. Honestly I was just lazy and didn't do well on one of the tests. Any ideas?

 

[Hifey]

in an interview getting a C in my orgo chem lab that I took during the summer. It is the only C I made during my undergrad and my overall GPA was a 3.85.

I know they will ask me about it because it sticks out, and I really can't think of a good positive way to spin it. Honestly I was just lazy and didn't do well on one of the tests. Any ideas?

Well my first question would be why do you want to try to "spin it" positively and bring it up when you admitted it was just because of laziness?

I explained mine in different ways....the first interviewer asked me about it and I said "I'm glad you asked!" and continued on with my answer which was that I had truthfully taken too much on and was unable to allot the proper time needed at the time. He was pleasantly surprised that I said that I was glad he asked and accepted my answer.

Another interview I worked it into my strengths and weaknesses. One of my strengths is that I'm resilient and bounce back from any setbacks and then I proceeded to explain that I got a C in this one quarter and due to so and so and that I managed to fix it the next quarter and get an A by shifting some stuff around. therefore, I learned from my mistakes.

I honestly don't know how you can spin I was just too lazy though

 

[Cytotoxic]

I seriously doubt anyone will care about a single C. If you are asked, just be honest (work, lazy, turtle died, etc.).

 

[MilkmanAl]

Tell them you found one of the tests exceptionally difficult or something. Say you screwed up one of the labs and got a zero for it. Whatever you do, don't try to spin one C in a lab. It's not worth your effort or the risk you'll say something dumb. It's a C in a lab. It's not a big deal.

 

[hawkdochopeful]

I like the "I'm glad you asked" idea, but I would try and stay away from flat out saying it was due to laziness. Maybe something more like: I was preoccupied with my normal summer routine. This is how I learned not to take summer classes."

 

[auburnO5]

I guess "spin" wasn't a good choice of words. Good advice though.

 

[Cytotoxic]

Just be honest. An interviewer will cut right through any BS you try to feed him/her.

 

[Morsetlis]

There was a wildfire.

This caused my only C in college.

 

[Hifey]

Hey I agree with the others here...one C in a lab is not going to kill you with a 3.85 GPA. You'll be fine. and if anyone asks just say the truth. I had to point mine out cause I got it in one of the core classes (Physics I bleh).

 

[MilkmanAl]

Absolutely do not tell your interviewers you got the C because you were lazy or anything that can even be interpreted as "I was lazy." Are you guys insane?

 

[MiniMoo]

You likely won't even get asked about that C. I have one C on my transcript as well (damn you Orgo!). Hasn't come up in a single interview yet. If it does though, just be honest.... but not TOO honest. 😉

 

[Salt and Lime]

I got a C in organic chem lab, too... and one semester of physics... and first semester of bio lab. No one asked me about any of them in interviews, but for the secondaries that require you to explain "C" grades I focused more on the lessons I learned from each of the experiences than on why I got the C in the first place.

 

[morning]

The dog ate my hippocampus?

 

[Zona Pellucida]

in an interview getting a C in my orgo chem lab that I took during the summer. It is the only C I made during my undergrad and my overall GPA was a 3.85.

I know they will ask me about it because it sticks out, and I really can't think of a good positive way to spin it. Honestly I was just lazy and didn't do well on one of the tests. Any ideas?

I have one 'C' on my transcript. I was never asked once about it and when asked 'any red flags?' by one interviewer and *I* brought it up, he basically laughed at me and told me... okay so.. no red flags.

 

[MilkmanAl]

The dog ate my hippocampus?

That's what you get for naming him "Amyloid."