What's the best way to explain lower grades in an interview?

[Jezzielin]

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My grades in college have always been quite high. My college does the grading scale not by A, B, C but by 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, etc.

I have never gotten a 2.5 before and I actually got 2 this past semester. While I will be applying with about a BCPM of around a 3.5 and an overall around a 3.6 (hoping) I am wondering how I will explain my 2.5's if asked in an interview.

In both, technically I got a B- which doesn't seem bad, but when ppl at my school see a 2.5 it can be anywhere from a high B- to a low C+. In both of these classes I was one question away from a 3.0, what luck, haha j/k.

If asked in an interview, what is the right and wrong thing to say. I mean should i say that I let my social life escalate a tad? Should I explain that even though my grade looks a bit low I was really a question away from a higher one? Or both? 😕

Any advice would be great, thanks ya'll! 😍

 

[sdnstud]

Tell the truth.

At one of my interviews, I was asked about my "sudden drop in GPA" during my senior year in which I maintained a GPA of 3.5 😱

That question really caught me off guard. I thought for 10 seconds and replied, "the 3.5 GPA only reflects my grades in 2 classes because I took the first half of my senior year off. I got a B in one of the 2 classes, thus, the lower GPA."

My interviewer was satisfied with my answer and moved on.

 

[Sundarban1]

If asked in an interview, what is the right and wrong thing to say.

Wrong way:

Int:
How do you explain your 2.5?
Jezz:
What? I went to school in canada, don't you know the metric GPA conversions?
2.5 x 1.59= 3.975 US, jerk

Right way:

Tell the truth.

 

[fahimaz7]

The honest way.

 

[Benign_foodtube]

Wordy word, y'all. Truth is the best way to do it. If you're thinking you need a lil good ole fashioned Fox News-esque spin on it, just point to your vastly improved performance subsequent to the crappy grades, and state that you feel that these grades are the ones that are truly representative of your best effort-- the effort given when you truly care about an endeavor, as you do with medicine. But don't say that if you don't feel it, and don't make any **** up... many interviewers can sense bull**** like a dog senses fear.

Cheers, and good luck my dude.

 

[Jezzielin]

Haha Sundarban1, I like your "wrong way"

Thanks everyone! You all are so helpful

I actally had one other thing about interviews as well:
Has anyone towards the end of the interview gave a verbal LOI (intent)? Like as part of their closing statement?

👍 or 👎 ???

 

[UCLAstudent]

I actally had one other thing about interviews as well:
Has anyone towards the end of the interview gave a verbal LOI (intent)? Like as part of their closing statement?

👍 or 👎 ???

I think it's fine to tell your interviewer how much you like the school. They want enthusiastic people. 🙂 I wouldn't go so far as giving a "verbal LOI," but go ahead and tell your interviewer that the school's your top choice! Choose your words carefully, though, and only say it if you mean it. I'm sure they can smell phony people from a mile away.

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Wrong way:

Int:
How do you explain your 2.5?
Jezz:
What? I went to school in canada, don't you know the metric GPA conversions?
2.5 x 1.59= 3.975 US, jerk

Right way:

Tell the truth.

i agree with your answer.

Your avatar is disgusting! 👎

 

[eralza]

The advantage of being a non-trad applicant is that you can justify lower grades on youthful immaturity. One of my interviewers asked why my grades were lower in the winter. I told him that I was a ski instructor and had a seasons pass that just "had" to be used on beautiful days. We both laughed and them moved on to what I've accomplished since.
Just remember to accept your low points and highlight your accomplishments with enthusiasm.

 

[uclabruin2003]

The advantage of being a non-trad applicant is that you can justify lower grades on youthful immaturity. One of my interviewers asked why my grades were lower in the winter. I told him that I was a ski instructor and had a seasons pass that just "had" to be used on beautiful days. We both laughed and them moved on to what I've accomplished since.
Just remember to accept your low points and highlight your accomplishments with enthusiasm.

exactly 👍