Which one of these are better? Or are they the same?

[DoctorC]

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Someone who has the following:

Freshman: 3.62
Sophomore: 3.4
Junior: 3.55

Overall~ 3.53


or

Freshman: 3.60
Sophomore: 2.90
Junior: 4.0

Overall~ 3.53

Thanks.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

I'd take the first one, the second seems to lack stability.

 

[HollyJ]

Is there a good reason for the dip sophomore year in the second one?

 

[DoctorC]

Well, the second one had his father come back into his life after 15 years and then his father stopped talking to him again. It was later revealed, like a month or so, that his father was put back into jail again. And also his grandmother was in and out of the hospital due to a failing lung.

 

[GBFKicks]

Yeah, I think that the second one is just as good if not better if there was a good readon for the dip in the sophmore year. You also need to cosider the course load in each case. Many times it is not just the GPA that matters--there are other factors to consider.

 

[DoctorC]

So considering the situation above, the second is on fair level?

 

[HollyJ]

All other things being equal, I would take the second one under those circumstances.

 

[DoctorC]

Should the reasons for the sophomore dip be brought up in the personal statement? Or is there another way of introducing it?

 

[Medikit]

I'd interview both, depending on why the grades dropped and then came up to such a high level I could be more interested in the second guy.

 

[adamj61]

Usually a strong junior is looked upon favorably...especially if you have harder classes. There is usually a reason for the bad year...unless it was the year they took harder classes....this is why they look through all of your grades.

 

[Medikit]

Should the reasons for the sophomore dip be brought up in the personal statement? Or is there another way of introducing it?

Can they be brought up without sounding negative? If yes then talk about it, if no wait for the interview.