sample essay explaining low gpa

How to explain low GPA in Personal Statement? (with Examples)

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement tips & advice.

The  Statement of Purpose (SOP), also known as the personal statement  allows you to give a deep insight into your ambitions and motivations to pursue a particular course at a university.

Bonus Article Sample Personal Statement that explains a low GPA

Credentials like Grade Point Average (GPA) and Standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT only tell about your aptitude or academic excellence. In contrast, the personal statement gives insights into your mind. Of course, not everyone has a stellar GPA and test scores; therefore, a very commonly asked question by such applicants is how they should  explain their low GPA in the SOP .

In most cases, it is best not to allude to your low GPA and instead focus on your strengths. But if you think that you have excellent reasons to justify your low GPA, then you should go ahead and clarify yourself.

Mentioned below are different reasons that you can use to explain your low GPA. Please note that you should always be honest about yourself and not come up with any false reasons to clarify your low GPA.

In this Article

Personal Problems

Good grades in major subjects, financial problems, relevant work experience, recommendation letter, when is it not okay to address a low gpa, when is it okay to address a low gpa.

A very common reason that can justify your bad performance in one semester can be personal health or unfortunate personal reasons. You should explain this very politely, and there is no reason to get emotional and all. And also note that, this reason can defend your low grades in only one semester and that blaming health or personal misfortune to justify multiple bad semesters could go against you.

I recommend reading this  fantastic Oxford University personal statement  that describes how personal health issues caused a low GPA and what the student did to overcome it.

If you have a low overall GPA but have excellent grades in your major subjects or the field towards which you want to align yourself, then you can always use that to reinforce your passion in the particular subject area.

Another way to explain your low GPA in the personal statement can be related to financial problems. For example, you had to study and work at the same time to make ends meet. In trying to do so, you were not able to entirely focus on your studies, and this would go in your favor. But again, don’t try to create an emotional drama; explain your reasoning in 2-3 lines.

You can also take some time off before your application and take a few steps to offset your low GPA. You can mitigate low grades by mentioning your relevant work experience (internships, etc.), workshops or certifications, extra courses that you took, and excellent scores in standardized testing like GRE, GMAT, etc.

If you don’t have any of the reasons mentioned above to justify your low GPA, then the best way is to seek the help of a faculty member who wrote your reference letter. Your faculty member can be the best person to claim that your grades don’t translate your potential and abilities and that you are motivated in your field of study. Your referee can mention these things in a few lines in your letter of reference. Take some time to get yourself on good terms with your faculty members and ask them to write excellent reference letters for you.

It’s good to remind yourself that the admissions board literally go through thousands of applications each year. They are well-acquainted with the myriad reasons students bring up to address their poor academic performance. Hence, it’s not always a good idea to explain a bad grade especially if:

• The low GPA is a common occurrence.  Let’s say you are an all-A student but got a C or a lower grade in one subject then it’s completely fine to explain it. However, there is no point in explaining if all your grades are C’s and Ds throughout your academic career. In that case, you should let your other achievements, such as internships, work experience, extra-curriculars, speak for themself.
• You don’t have a good enough reason. Some people claim that they don’t perform well in examinations, and therefore, their GPA is not a clear indicator of their abilities and motivations. Also, some people say that the methodology of grading adopted in their universities prevented them from scoring well. Such reasons are least likely to work since the undergraduate GPA is not calculated based on one particular exam. You won’t be making any point, instead, you would be wasting a few lines to distract the admission committee members from the subject matter.   Even if most of your grades are good but one or two are not, only address them if you have a good reason. For example, mixing up with a bad crowd, or partying excessively and missing out on studies is not a good example. The reason you got the low GPA must be unique and extenuating.

Addressing a low GPA or a bad grade in your personal statement or college essay is not something that is frowned upon. However, an important precursor is that you must have a legitimate reason for why you got that bad grade. Even the most hardworking and smartest students have their off days, and a one-off bad grade or a bad GPA in a semester isn’t the end of the world. If you have a sincere justification for your shortcoming, addressing it is completely fine.

For example, the following scenarios can offer justification for a bad grade:

• You got extremely sick and had to take a break from studies
• A close family member underwent a medical emergency and you had to be there for them
• The passing away of a close friend or family member
• Financial hardship such as having to work a job while studying to support yourself

These are just a few examples to drive home the point and surely everyone’s circumstances will differ. A good rule of thumb is that whatever reason you cite, it should be specific and believable. Making up extraordinary and/or vague stories to cover up your bad grade is not a good idea. Keep it sincere and present it without embellishments.

Some universities allow applicants to add an addendum to explain more about themselves. This can be an ideal platform for you to tell your reasons. But again, keep the reasoning brief and to the point. Do check with the university if it allows you that luxury or not.

While mentioning all these reasons, you have to be careful that you are polite, brief, rational, and well reasoned. Otherwise, rather than doing good, referring to your low GPA can backfire and work against you.

In the end, once again, I recommend reading this  sample personal statement  that explains low GPA. You can learn from this sample and incorporate something similar in your application essay.

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How to explain your low GPA in the MBA optional essay

Updated: Feb 1

I speak to hundreds of MBA applicants every year. One of the most common questions I get asked is, “How do I justify my low undergrad GPA in my MBA applications?”

The good news is that a low GPA isn't a death sentence for your application. But you MUST be able to clearly explain it. Most likely, you’ll explain it in the optional essay of the MBA application portal.

This is how Yale SOM phrases the prompt:

Optional Essay: If any aspect of your candidacy needs further explanation (unexplained gaps in work experience, choice of recommenders, academic performance, promotions or recognition, etc.), please provide a brief description here. (200 words maximum)

In this blog we will address how you can justify your low undergrad GPA through your optional essay. Along with this, we’ll discuss other aspects of your profile that you can discuss in the optional essay.

Every year, top business schools publish details regarding their class profiles. These reports include average GPA, GMAT/GRE score, years of experience, demographics and industry information for the incoming class. So, for prospective applicants, this report becomes a useful blueprint for identifying how they compare to their would-be classmates and whether they stand a chance of getting into this school.

From this report, we know for example that the undergrad GPA range for the Chicago Booth class of 2023 is 2.7 - 4, with the average being 3.54. The undergrad GPA range for the Northwestern Kellogg class of 2023 is 2.4 - 4, with the average being 3.7.

This means that candidates who made it to the Booth class of 2023 had undergraduate GPAs between 2.7 and 4.

So I get lots of questions from applicants whose GPA is at the very bottom of the range asking whether they have a chance. And honestly, most often the answer is No, unless your profile is absolutely exceptional.

If you belong to an overrepresented group such as an Indian male or north american investment banker, you won’t be successful if your GPA is at the bottom of the range unless you’ve got an exceptional GMAT score and an incredible story.

Applicant: “Can I get into Booth with a 2.8 GPA?”

Sam: “Not unless you threw javelins in the Olympics or distributed polio vaccines in Afghanistan.”

To get in with a lower GPA, you need an exceptional story. One like Raveena ’s, who got into Wharton with a low GPA, a below-average GMAT score in Round 3 and (drum roll) with $160,000 of scholarships.

How to explain a low GPA

Points to bear in mind while writing your optional essay as you discuss your low GPA:

1. Valid reasons for having a low GPA: Some reasons for having a low GPA are more valid than others. Partied to hard and failed exams? Nope. Better reasons include health issues, family issues such as parents getting divorced, or entering the course academically underprepared.

2. How to explain it: Focus very clearly on what happened, how you rebounded, and what you learned from the experience.

3. Avoid using long-winded stories. Storytelling can be super effective for the rest of your MBA essays, where you’re trying to demonstrate a strong narrative. However , that’s not the case with optional essays. Since this is not a mandatory part of the application, the Adcom is “doing you a favor” by reading it. So be short, tight and direct.

4. Steer clear of incorporating any stories or fluff. Instead, be direct in putting your point across to the Admissions Committee. If you have a low undergrad GPA, that’s a fact. So, say it like it is, add the reason behind it and discuss what you’ve done to compensate for it.

5. Don’t fill up space for the word limit. If you can explain a low GPA in 150 words, do it. As an extreme example, Rice Jones’ optional essay has a limit of 750 words. Unless you have something to say about every single possible optional essay topic, you won’t need anything like 750 words!

6. Don’t add repetitive content. Make sure nothing you write about in your optional essay has been repeated from any other part of the application. Repetition here is punishable by DING!

7. Don’t make excuses! Instead, highlight the reasons for this gap in your profile objectively and spin it positively. For example, if you have a low GPA because of your parents’ divorce, discuss how you handled it. If you have an employment gap in your profile, point to extracurriculars or a side hustle you pursued during that time.

8. Don’t be tempted to demonstrate the fit. The school has already offered you space to discuss your alignment with the school and/or program in your MBA application. So don’t ignore their instructions and include unnecessary detail in your optional essay.

9. Don’t brush your gaps under the rug. It might seem enticing to take the risk and not address your weaknesses in the hope that the AdCom miss it. In my experience, adcoms don’t miss these things. So don’t leave it to chance. If your focus wavered because of a lack of prioritization, or poor time management, or a genuine personal issue, admitting it will demonstrate maturity.

Example: Yale SOM

I don’t believe my GPA of 2.7 is representative of my academic abilities. My parents got divorced during my undergraduate studies. Since the rest of my siblings had left the country, I was forced to manage their divorce negotiations and my academic performance suffered heavily as a result.

After the divorce was settled, I attended extra classes to catch up on missed material and my grades rebounded. My final year GPA was 3.4, with my last semester being 3.6, which I believe better demonstrates my academic ability.

Unsatisfied with my poor grades, I took on additional academic challenges after my undergraduate studies were complete. For example, diving straight into the CFA level 1.

When should you write an MBA optional essay?

Aside from explaining your GPA, these are the other points you may want to address in your optional essay:

Educational or Professional Gap

Usually, candidates have an educational or professional gap because -

They wanted to figure out their passion

They were preparing for a certain exam

They had a physical or mental health condition

Extenuating personal circumstances

So, if you had to take a gap or got laid off and found yourself in this situation, use this space to offer your explanation to Adcom. Focus on how you used your time productively.

If you were running a side hustle during school or worked two jobs or did night shifts through your undergrad due to some financial issues, that’s something worth discussing in your optional essay. Otherwise, an outsider won’t be able to make sense of it just by looking at your resume.

Masters or Management degree in your home country

Many candidates go for a Masters in a specific subject or a Masters in Management (MIM) degree immediately after their undergrad. However, to pivot into senior executive roles, they need a formal management degree and apply for an MBA. If you fall into that category, you should offer context in your optional essay.

If you think your current score is an inaccurate representation of your profile, provide evidence of how you can add value to your target school’s MBA class. For example, if you’ve got your GMAT booked for a specific date post the deadline, you can say,

“My current GMAT score doesn’t reflect my academic ability aptly, and I have booked the exam for a specific date.”

Recommender

If you don’t have a recommendation from your current manager, it’s worth highlighting why. Maybe because you can’t tell your current company. Maybe because you haven’t been at your current company very long. Simply offer a crisp explanation and get your point across to the Admissions Committee.

Struggling to write your optional essay? Get in touch.

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How to explain a low GPA in MBA application

Featured Expert: Hassan Awan, MBA

Are you looking to find out how to explain a low GPA in MBA application? If you have learned how to get into an MBA program with low GPA , you will realize it isn’t an impossible task – you will just need to work a bit harder.

We will have a look at how you can leverage two main components of your MBA application – essays and interviews – to get accepted to your dream MBA program. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 8 min read

What is low gpa vs competitive gpa.

When it comes to the top business schools – we’re talking about getting accepted to the likes of Harvard University and Kellogg Business School – a GPA score of 3.4 and below becomes a “low GPA.”

MBA admissions officers at these schools are looking for candidates who not only demonstrate originality, charisma, initiative, and grit necessary to become business titans, but also have what it takes to complete their intensive curriculum.

Although they primarily select candidates with high GPA scores, it is possible to get into an MBA program with a GPA of around 3.4 if the rest of your application is outstanding!

What application components can you use to address a low GPA?

Let us have a look at how to explain a low GPA in an MBA application using two methods: essays and MBA interview questions . It’s important to note that while we give several ideas of where and how to talk about your low grades, choose only 1 of these options. You do not want to mention and explain your low GPA in every single application component. This means that if you choose to briefly address your low grades in the MBA personal statement, do not do so in your cover letter or statement of purpose.

The first step you need to take is to take responsibility for your low GPA and admit your reasons for it being lower than average. There is nothing worse than dealing with someone who blames everyone else for their setbacks. It is only after admitting this fact that you can move on to remediating the problem. ","label":"Note","title":"Note"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

One way you can offset a low GPA score is by scoring high on your GMAT or GRE exams. GPA and standardized test scores are usually reviewed in tandem, so a high score can compensate for a low GPA.

Have a look at the average GMAT scores of candidates accepted to your chosen schools. Make sure to score the same or higher on your test. According to the latest statistics, many of the top MBA programs accept candidates with a score of 724 and above. ","label":"Tip","title":"Tip"}]" code="tab2" template="BlogArticle">

As for which exam is better, the GMAT has always been considered to be the gold standard for the specific academic skills needed in graduate business schools. It is more expensive than a GRE and is offered in fewer locations worldwide.

Meanwhile, the GRE is considered the exam of choice for prospective graduate students of the arts and sciences. But, many top business schools say they want to diversify their applicant pool by accepting the GRE as an alternative in the admissions process.

Your MBA cover letter should tie together all of the pieces of your application, so the committee can get a clear picture of your overall qualifications for the program. Most importantly, your MBA cover letter must showcase right away that you are the perfect candidate for your chosen MBA program.

While your cover letter should not be solely focused on your low GPA, it can briefly mention any extenuating reasons your grades were jeopardized, such as an illness, a program change, or some other external circumstances. Remember not to play a victim. Instead, showcase what you did to overcome your setbacks. Example:

And while my grades suffered greatly at the end of my junior year of college due to my family's finical situation, I worked hard to complete that difficult year with an average of B- while working a part-time job to support myself and my younger sister.

Remember, a good cover letter won’t make up for a mediocre application packet, but it can still get the admissions committee on your side and make them want to look at the rest of your application.

This component of your MBA application is more important – when compared to other factors like your GPA and work experience. It is the one piece of application document where you can talk about who you are. It is basically where you get to answer the question “Tell us about yourself. Who are you?”

Talk about the details surrounding the cause and effect of your low GPA. Give the admissions committee a glimpse into what it was that made you fail, how you coped with the issue, and what you did to alleviate it. Once again, do not make this the focus on your statement, but briefly incorporate the setback that led to lower grades.

Most importantly, showcase how you emerged a stronger or wiser person from the experience. What steps did you take to get your grades up? What did you do to compensate for the lower GPA? What skills and lessons did you learn from the experience? Did you learn how to organize your time by buying a weekly planner? Did you learn how to ask for help and hired a tutor?

Showcase how thanks to the experience you are now the perfect candidate for the school. W Transform this setback into gains that will help you master the MBA too.

You can go through some MBA personal statement examples to get an idea of what to write in your version.

MBA statement of purpose

Your MBA statement of purpose (SOP) is a short essay of approximately 600 to 800 words. It is often a requirement for graduate school applications. It summarizes your intent behind applying to a particular university.

The SOP is a way for the admissions committee to understand more about you on a more personal level. Remember, they already have your accompanying documents to learn about your academic performance.

In the SOP, you can demonstrate that you are capable of attending and exceling in an MBA program despite your low GPA. Therefore, avoid blaming your college or professors for the low GPA. Instead, let them know about other achievements that can balance out the low score. Did you score exceptionally well on the GRE? Did you take additional certifications or courses after you graduated from college? Did you learn a new language? In other words, demonstrate what experience and knowledge you bring with you into the incoming class, what your colleagues can learn from you, and what you can contribute to the school’s on-campus culture.

Working on your statement of purpose? Check this out:

Most business schools ask for MBA admissions essays or MBA essay questions and answers as part of their application processes. And although they make them optional, you – as an MBA candidate with a low GPA score – should consider it as a critical component of your application where you can tell your side of your story.

You can use the essays to demonstrate your analytical and communication skills, which can definitely offset your low GPA score. Some MBA essay questions may directly ask you about setbacks, obstacles, and hardships you faced in your journey – use this as a chance to explain your low grades and how you compensated them via other avenues, like test scores, work experience, and so on!

To the Admissions Office at [INSERT SCHOOL NAME],

I would like to thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I know that the application process is extremely competitive and that each candidate is carefully considered as per their achievements.

I understand that grades and previous academic performance are important in the process of assessing the ability of an applicant to succeed in the challenging coursework and academic environment of an MBA program. My GPA may be lower than that of other applicants, but I believe that I can continue to succeed despite the setbacks that were the cause of my low grades.

I would like to explain this situation and my low GPA in the hopes that it can be considered as part of my application.

During my freshman year of college, my parents and I had just moved to this country. The language barrier was the biggest obstacle in my studies. Though I knew colloquial English, studying in English was a total novelty to me. I struggled with completing my assignments and exams, and therefore received very low grades in my first two years of college.

But, thankfully, one of my professors noted this fact and suggested that I participate in the university’s cultural club for newcomers like me. I found my passion there and also made new friends with similar interests. The club helped ease the process of integration by introducing me into an environment of volunteering at soup kitchens, participating in fundraising events, helping each other with homework or interview preparation, hosting networking events, and providing me with a lively and warm community to flourish in.

My grades began to improve immediately and, more importantly, I learned that it takes time, patience, and applying myself to make – and see – a change in myself as well as in others.

Ever since I have had an outstanding track record and achieved academic excellence – as you can see from my GMAT scores.

I hope that you will be able to understand my situation and also know that I have become wiser from this experience.

Thank you very much for your consideration and I hope I will become a part of the student body in your esteemed institution.

Just remember that if you think it doesn’t convey your story as well as you wish it would, you should find the best MBA essay consultant to help you create that perfect essay.

How to explain a low GPA in MBA during an interview

If you have a low GPA and are invited to an interview, this means that the admissions committee most likely does not mind your lower grades. This means that you must learn how to prepare for your MBA interview and get ready to answer some of the most common MBA interview questions. Be prepared to talk about your lower grades and any other potential red flags.

When asked about your lower grades, always be truthful but try to end your answer with how you have made up for lower academic performance. Mention your high GMAT or GRE score, discuss any additional training you have partaken in, and discuss your work awards or publications. Offset your bad grades with your achievements.

A lower GPA is not the end of your MBA dreams! Grades and scores are not the end all be all of the admissions. What the admissions committee wants to see, when it comes to your lower grades, is that you can take responsibility and remedy your mistakes with action. Use your MBA application components and the interview to show that you are a mature, responsible adult who can be accountable for past mistakes and setbacks. This will impress them more than an A+ on your academic essays and exams!

Yes, you can get an MBA with a low GPA. But, you will need to try harder than your fellow candidates to prove that you are worth that seat in the business school. The best way to do it is to leverage opportunities like essays and interviews.

The best strategy is to opt for a two-pronged attack: write a great essay and prepare to explain the gap in an interview. You should aim to explain in clear words – both written and spoken – how you have become a better person from the experience. The lessons, qualifications, and personal growth should be the core message you need to get across to the admissions committee.

Yes, make sure to check how many MBA recommendation letters are required by your schools of choice.

The best time to apply is during Round 1 of applications.

When applying for an MBA with a low GPA, you need to improve your chances of landing that seat by applying during the first round. That is when the business schools still have a lot of available spaces in their classes. They tend to accept more during the first rounds of applications than during the second or third rounds when the spaces are more scarce and they tend to lean towards the highest qualified candidates.

The best place to describe your volunteering and extracurricular activities is to include them in the personal statement or other admissions essays, as well as your MBA resume .

Yes, it can, but you need to remember that the admissions committee looks at your application as a whole. They don’t make their decisions on one set of qualifications or certifications. And so, the high GMAT or GRE scores will contribute to increasing your chances of getting that MBA seat as part of the total package that includes your essays, personal statements, resume, work experience, letters of recommendation, and the low GPA, of course.

The GMAT is an exam that was specifically designed for business school applicants. The GRE, meanwhile, is a test that can gain students admittance to graduate programs across almost all subjects – including the MBA.

Although traditionally the GMAT has taken precedence over the GRE you should research your business school of choice to find out if they have a preference or tradition of accepting one over the other.

Some leading universities – like the University of Massachusetts Boston – offer their MBA programs online. If you feel that an online degree program will help you meet your professional and personal goals you can choose to join a business school with an online program that will support your ambitions.

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How to Explain Your Low GPA to Grad Schools

So you got a less-than-perfect GPA in college, and now you want to learn the best way how to explain a low GPA to grad schools. Don’t despair! Graduate school admissions committees are people too — they can understand that achieving a perfect GPA isn’t always possible for every student.

Nonetheless, when you’re applying to graduate schools with a weak academic record, it’s important to be honest about why your grades didn’t cut it. Read on for tips on how best to explain yourself and potentially gain admittance into the program you want to get into.

How Important is the GPA to Grad Schools?

Don’t let yourself be fooled into believing that graduate programs don’t take GPAs into account. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Since many applicants are applying within five years of graduating, schools rely on your GPA to gain insight as to how you have performed academically and overall throughout your studies.

The GPA is a universal point of comparison among graduate school applicants, making it an invaluable tool in the competitive selection process. Despite any slight variations that may exist between programs’ grading scales, the GPA remains something all schools can agree upon and use to compare candidates. As universities shift away from requiring the GRE for admission, applicants must bank on their academic transcripts and grades to make a lasting impression. As admissions committees will be putting more emphasis on grades, the GPA will become more critical than ever before since it serves as an all-encompassing assessment of a candidate’s abilities.

What is considered a low GPA for graduate school?

If you’re looking to determine if your GPA is considered low, use the US 4.0 scale as a guideline and measure it against your target school’s average matriculating student GPA. You can usually find this information in class profiles or by consulting U.S. News rankings. As an alternative approach, compare your GPA against the 75th or 80th percentile of your target schools if that data is available to you.

Your GPA is more than just a number

When considering your GPA, it is important to understand that admissions committees perceive it as a result of potential variation. This variation is significant, and its effects should be taken into consideration. Admissions committees dig deeper than just a letter grade and analyze your transcripts to detect patterns and trends. Depending on the factors that led to your low GPA, you may need to put in extra effort and dedication to overcome it.

Were your grades on an upward trend? Did you experience a turbulent freshman year in college, leading to a decline in your GPA, but then worked relentlessly and graduated with an impressive score? Was your academic performance lacking for a short period as you got sidetracked with the wrong major but then improved your grades after getting back on track and finding what truly resonated with you? If so, this academic growth could work to your advantage.

Were your grades on a downward trend? Did you start off with a bang, earning an impressive GPA score your very first year of college only to have the motivation slip away leading to steadily declining grades until graduation? That kind of downward fluctuation is cause for significant concern.

How to Mitigate a Low GPA in Your Grad School Application

To counteract a low GPA, it is essential to emphasize that your GPA does not accurately demonstrate your current academic abilities.

There are four main strategies to minimize the influence of a low GPA.

Taking the GRE

The GRE is an influential way to emphasize your raw intellectual capabilities, no matter what the GPA may be. Because it has been correlated with program success over many years, this standardized test demonstrates that you have the talent and aptitude for your chosen field.

Whatever your target discipline, taking the test sends a strong statement of commitment to pursuing graduate studies. This is why it is wise to take the test even if the test is optional for admission into the program. Taking the exam will prove beyond any doubt that you are academically capable and competitive with those admitted into your target programs.

If your GPA is substandard, an impressive test score can be a fantastic way to demonstrate that you have much more potential and intellectual capacity than what the numbers show. Achieving a strong result on this assessment will demonstrate to universities that you are more than capable of living up to their expectations.

If you want to learn how to explain your low GPA to grad schools, it’s essential to remember this: no graduate school wants the burden of accepting someone who cannot live up to their standards and eventually quits. This would be an inefficient use of funds and resources for them.

To show that you are devoted to upholding the goals expected from you, there is no better way than acing the GRE .

Signing up for more classes

You can show that you are capable of more than your GPA indicates by taking classes in your chosen field and earning A’s in them. It doesn’t matter what your degree goal is – you want to demonstrate that you have the self-discipline, study skills, and motivation to do well in an academic setting related to the field you want to study.

When deciding how many classes to take, it is important to think about the gap between your GPA and the average of your target school as well as when you graduated. If you’re looking to bridge the gap between your current GPA and the target school’s average, a Master’s program may be just what you need. If you’ve managed to build a strong portfolio of accomplishments since your undergrad years, demonstrating that your academic performance has improved could be as easy as taking just a few classes.

Additionally, if you are blessed with an impressive GRE score and evidence that proves your academic excellence in the classroom, then there’s no doubt you can defeat any negative impact from having had a low GPA in the past.

Statement of purpose

There are certain situations when it is appropriate to address a low GPA in your application materials. And learning how to explain your low GPA for grad schools is all about knowing where and when. However, there are also times when doing so may do more harm than good. Here are some guidelines to help you determine when it is and is not okay to discuss your GPA:

-If the rest of your application is strong, you generally don’t need to bring up your GPA.

-If your overall GPA is below a 3.0 but you have recently taken steps to improve it (such as taking extra classes or retaking courses), you may want to briefly mention this in your statement of purpose.

-If there are specific circumstances that led to a low GPA (such as an illness or family emergency), you may want to explain these in your essay.

-In general, it is best NOT to address a low GPA if doing so would require revealing sensitive personal information (such as mental health issues) that you would prefer not to disclose on your application.

Although it is usually best not to mention your low GPA in your statement of purpose , there are some cases where it might be beneficial to do so. If you have excellent reasons that help explain your low grades, then go ahead and clarify yourself.

You can own up to a low GPA or bad grade in your SOP, but only if you have an understandable excuse for it. If not, the best approach is to focus instead on how you learned from that experience and used those lessons in subsequent academic endeavors.

Even the most diligent and intelligent students experience days when nothing goes right, so one sub-par grade or less than stellar semester GPA isn’t a death sentence. As a general rule, any excuse you provide should have specific details and sound believable. It is not wise to invent extraordinary or obscure stories to conceal your low mark; rather, keep it sincere and honest without exaggeration.

Personal Struggles

When it comes to explaining the cause of your below-average academic performance for one semester, you should be courteous and honest about any personal health or other issues that may have impacted your results. However, it is important to remember that this reason can only defend a single poor semester; if multiple semesters are involved then citing ill health or bad luck as an explanation could work against you.

Good Grades in Core Courses

If your GPA is not as impressive, you can still emphasize your commitment to the field that interests you by highlighting your exemplary grades in major subjects or related classes.

Financial Problems

If financial issues caused your low GPA, you should explain this fact concisely and honestly. Mentioning how you had to study and work simultaneously can be helpful, as it can reveal the reasons why academic success may have been difficult to achieve at times. Keep it short and persuasive by tackling the issue in only two or three sentences.

Recommenders

If you don’t have any of the previously mentioned reasons that could help you solve how to explain your low GPA to grad schools, consider reaching out to an instructor who wrote a reference letter for you. They’ll be in the best position to argue that grades do not accurately reflect your talents and ambition toward your chosen major. A few sentences from them in their recommendation can make all the difference!

When Should You Not Address Your Low GPA in your SOP?

With the admissions committees receiving thousands of applications each year, it is vital to bear in mind that they are familiar with all kinds of rationalizations for poor academic performance. Ultimately, it’s not always advisable to make excuses for a poor grade if:

• You often had bad grades. An occasional bad grade happens to the best of us. Nonetheless, it is unnecessary to explain grades that are consistently Cs and Ds throughout your academic career. Instead, let your other accomplishments such as internships, extra-curricular activities, and work experience showcase your abilities!
• You don’t have a strong enough justification. Many people say they don’t do well on exams and that their GPA doesn’t accurately reflect their skill level or determination. They also use the grading system of their university as an excuse for low scores, but this argument falls flat – undergraduate GPAs are based on several different assessments. It’s unreasonable to rely solely on one exam when gauging your academic success! If some of your grades are not up to the mark, resist the urge to distract admission committee members with irrelevant points. Rather than wasting time and effort talking about it, address these low scores only if you have a plausible justification for doing so.

There is no one-size-fits-all in answer how to explain a low GPA to grad schools. It takes thoughtful reflection, practice, and understanding your strengths to craft an explanation that will give your application the boost you need to be successful. While there is no assurance that any of these tips will work for every program, you can certainly set yourself up for success by using these strategies.

Whatever path you choose in the end, remember: don’t let fears or doubts keep you from pursuing the graduate program of your dreams. So take the necessary steps to make it happen and see what amazing opportunities await! If all else fails or if you’d like an extra pair of eyes to take a look at your application before sending it off, make sure to check out our graduate school application services —they’re here to help get you where you want to go!

With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab . As a tenure-track professor, Dr. Barr spent a decade teaching and serving on several graduate admission committees at UNC-Chapel Hill before turning to full-time consulting. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple master’s and Ph.D. programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .

Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for tips and tricks on navigating the grad school application process and weekly live Q&A sessions!

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7 Tricks That Will Make Your Low GPA Essay Outstanding

Describe the causes of your low GPA and boost the chances to enter college regardless of this grade.

Low GPA Essay to Improve Your Admission Chances

A low-grade point average can definitely affect your chances of being accepted into the school you want at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This is especially true of the top programs. However, it isn’t impossible to overcome a low-grade point average. There are some measures and steps you can take to offset a grade point average that is hurting your chances for admittance to the program you want. One of the tools at your disposal is the waiver essay explaining your low GPA.

While it is unlikely that even the best essay will overcome four years of substandard performance it can make the difference in many cases. An explaining GPA letter like pardon letter consists of several parts, it helps you to organize the information properly.

How do you write the poor GPA waiver letter? When applying to a school, they require for the GPA submission along with other requirements, such as a transcript of records and test scores. These are some of the essentials they need to determine your suitability for the doctoral of the physical therapy program. But if you don’t want to submit a poor physics grade of “F,” you may request a waiver letter. However, not all student requests will be granted. To increase your chances of submitting a good waiver request for a poor GPA, here’s a quick guide for you.

If you believe that you have the experience, knowledge, and skills in the field of physical therapy, but you have a poor GPA, which you don’t want to submit with the requirements, learn how to write  GRE waiver request letter .

• Before writing to explain underwhelming grades, be sure to know how to write the letter to structure it well so that it can help you achieve your purpose of waiving the low GPA.
• Mention the purpose of writing the letter. You must clearly explain why you’re requesting of waiving your GPA scores.

In the next paragraphs, you must show them that you don’t need to submit those low scores, but be sure to mention specific points why. In addition, demonstrate your academic and professional experience as well as skills, which are enough to prove that the low scores won’t affect your performance in the doctoral course and that you don’t have to submit these grades. Make sure that you support every claim with descriptions or examples. Before closing the letter, restate your intentions of waiving the poor GPA and of completing your application to the physical therapy program without it.

Stuck with your low GPA essay? We can help!

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Getting help is simple. Just three quick steps keep you from a perfect letter.

What Are the Basics?

To learn how to do it properly, read a low GPA essay example. A well-written example essay explaining low GPA can help you see the points you need to address and how to it efficiently so your waiver is granted.

Yes, you can write a poor GPA waiver letter. Writing may be the hardship letter for low GPA. If you want to do it right, remember to include evidence to support your arguments.

You should attach any papers that may act as evidence to support your request. If you have had some personal issues, family problems of health complications, make sure you mention them. If you read a sample letter of explanation for poor grades, you will see the things they add. Use a sample letter explaining low GPA as a guide to help you write yours.

Tips on How to Write an Essay Explaining a Low GPA

The first thing to understand is your essay is not a magic bullet that will miraculously solve all of your grade point average problems. It will require some effort on your part to convince admissions officials to overlook your grades. If you are serious about getting into a program and haven’t waited too long, the essay can tilt thing in your favor. Here are seven tips for writing an essay to explain your low GPA:

Review a Low GPA Essay Example

Reading a good essay explaining a low GPA is one way to learn how to write your own. You can’t copy the essay but you can get ideas on how to approach writing your own paper. Our waiver letter writing services provides low GPA essay examples and waiver request letter samples that you can use as a writing guide. Getting into a good university program is a compilation of many different things and anything that can tilt things slightly in your favor helps.

What to Include Waiver Letter Explaining Low GPA Scores

Here are a couple of things that need to be mentioned:

• Qualifications set by the school.
• Experiences or skills to prove you have the expertise in the field without needing to send the GPA scores.
• Proofread your paper.
• Follow specific business letter format as set by the school if you’re qualified for the GPA waiver letter.

There you have a quick guide on how to address bad grades in the personal statement or waiver letter. Follow them and increase your chances of being approved for the application without the GPA scores.

Knowing how to address bad grades in personal statement will help you write an excellent waiver letter. To do it, there are some top things you need to pay attention when writing your waiver letter. For starters, you will need to address your low score. Explain it briefly and add any evidence that you think may help you with your request. Also, you will need to pay attention to the language you use. Ensuring you use the adequate format is another major point to keep an eye on. That’s how a letter visually appeals to the reader and helps you waive a GPA.

Our Service Can Assist with Letter Explaining Low GPA Writing

If you need to write a low GPA letter of explanation, our professional writers can help you. We work with experienced writers specialized in low GPA waiver letters. Their expertise and skills will help you create an original and well-written waiver letter to help you multiply your chances to get your waiver approved.

• Our professional writers will revise your letter many times until they are sure it is perfect for handing it in.
• Needless to say, we will always meet your deadline.

There are many benefits of working with our effective waiver letter writing services. When choosing our services, you will benefit from free amendments, a friendly support team that works around the clock, customized letters, and impeccable writing from our expert writers specialized in waiver letters. Our writers will start your waiver letter with a strong introduction and tailor your letter according to your needs. Plus, you will also benefit from our money-back guarantee!

Contact us for low GPA letter writing advice and assistance to improve your odds of getting into your university program of choice!

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Explain Exceptional Personal Circumstances on Applications

Your GPA and SAT don’t tell the full admissions story

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographics, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details.

Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. We’ll let you know what your chances are at your dream schools — and how to improve your chances!

What’s Covered:

• What Does “Exceptional Personal Circumstances” Mean?”

College Applications and Exceptional Personal Circumstances

• Tips for Writing about Low GPA, Disciplinary Record, etc.

Maximizing Your Chances of Admission

Where to get your additional info section reviewed.

If you’re a student with a less-than-perfect academic, extracurricular, or disciplinary history, filling out college applications can often be a nerve-wracking experience. As all colleges (not just elite private institutions ) become increasingly competitive each year, having a rough patch or two on your academic record can be extremely discouraging. It’s easy to feel as if a below-average GPA for your dream school or a history of disciplinary action will totally disqualify you, but the truth is, they might not.

What Does “Exceptional Personal Circumstances” Mean?

“Exceptional personal circumstances” is an intentionally broad term. College admissions teams want to give you the chance to talk about anything that may have impacted your ability to perform academically, or something that stands out on your record as a negative, like disciplinary action. What the term does not refer to, however, is something you just didn’t have space for in your personal statement, or excuses for poor academic performance.

Common topics for exceptional personal circumstances essays include natural disasters, long illnesses or injuries, legal or disciplinary action, or personal events that significantly disrupted the applicant’s life. You might also write about circumstances that were not single events, nor a significant change, but did represent an additional challenge to completing or engaging with schoolwork. Examples of this might include a time-consuming job to support your family financially, or poor wifi that prevented you from completing homework. 

As you think about whether to write an exceptional personal circumstances essay, consider these questions. 

• Did the event or events in question affect your ability to attend school? Was school closed, or were you unable to go for any reason?
• Were you unable to access the resources needed to fully engage with school? Perhaps at times you weren’t able to purchase books, consistently access wifi, or use a computer to research and write papers. 
• You may have been able to attend school and access resources, but unable to focus and fully participate due to distress or distraction. This could be from events inside or outside the classroom. Perhaps you were grieving a family member or battling chronic migraines. 
• Finally, are there negative items on your academic or legal record that are going to impact how colleges view you? While you shouldn’t deny or attempt to justify these events, this is a good chance to explain what happened, and how you’ve grown. For example, a student suspended for bullying should explain the events in her own words, taking responsibility and demonstrating that she understands the seriousness of the situation, as failing to address the suspension may show a lack of remorse

If your answer to these questions is “no,” don’t struggle to think of something that maybe could work. By definition, “exceptional personal circumstances” means most people won’t have anything to write about, so unless something immediately jumps into your mind, this opportunity probably isn’t relevant to you.

On the other hand, if you know your circumstances do require some additional explanation, we urge you to provide the admissions committee with all the context they need in order to fully understand your story.

What students often forget is that the admissions committee at your top-choice school is made up of humans — actual, real human beings — who know that the people whose applications they’re reviewing are humans, too. The admissions process at most private schools and many public schools is holistic — meaning they consider the candidate as a person, not as a set of numbers.

This year, the Common App offers 250 words to discuss how COVID-19 and natural disasters specifically impacted you, and 650 words to elaborate on any other circumstances that are relevant to understanding your high school story. Most other application platforms also provide about 500 words for you to provide any additional information you feel is important for admissions officers to have as they make a decision on your application.

It’s important, however, to keep in mind when choosing whether to write something in the additional information section that you should not simply be blaming your bad GPA on a particular teacher not liking you, or trying to downplay getting suspended for cheating. Whatever you choose to include should substantially enhance colleges’ understanding of you as an applicant, by offering a perspective on your record and you as a person that is not otherwise reflected in your essays.

Tips for Writing About Low GPA, Disciplinary Record, etc.

If you feel as though choosing to write a short essay for the additional information section would add significantly to your application, we have a few tips for how to make the most of this space and how to effectively describe exceptional personal circumstances on your college applications.

Firstly, it’s important to be candid and straightforward. For example, if you were subject to disciplinary action for cheating, it’s not in your best interest to try and downplay your own responsibility for your actions or divert the blame to someone else. This will likely strike admissions committees as a transparent attempt to avoid taking responsibility, and it’s doubtful they’ll be moved by that.

Instead, tell the truth about what happened (honestly and objectively), and emphasize what you learned from the experience rather than focusing on the negative consequences. Take the opportunity to draw a contrast between who you were when you made that mistake and who you are now, as that will demonstrate maturity and growth.

Reflect on Your Experiences

If you had several semesters where your GPA dropped below average, you may be concerned about whether this dip in your cumulative GPA will adversely affect your chances at your top choice schools. While grades are obviously extremely important, a 4.0 is not necessary to gain admission to a great school. If the dip was drastic enough that your chances of acceptance are likely to be substantially affected, however, the additional information section provides you with a space to assure admissions officers that you’re a strong candidate nonetheless.

Begin by trying to identify the reasons why your grades dropped. Did you have additional stressors at home that prevented you from doing your work, or from doing it as well as you could have? Did you suffer from an illness (physical or mental) that impeded your ability to perform to your highest ability at home and in class? If you can explain a clear and legitimate reason why your grades dropped, admissions officers will take that into account when considering your academic record.

Remember That Admissions Are Holistic

Although they are certainly not ideal, B’s and even C’s aren’t automatic disqualifiers from admissions, even at the most selective colleges, and the role of grades in admissions is not as black and white as some might assume. Your GPA, whether it is exceptional or less than stellar, is not the be-all and end-all of your application.

The holistic admissions process is personal to each applicant, and considers all dimensions of your application–including extracurriculars, essays, teacher recs, and, yes, exceptional circumstances–not just your academic performance. And admissions officers know some students are better set up for success than others. If you have had poor grades in the past, but there’s a legitimate reason why, providing a clear explanation can show maturity and resilience, two qualities admissions committees value highly in applicants.

Overall, what the holistic admissions process means is that schools aren’t looking for only academically strong candidates, but also those who will contribute to their overall campus environment. If you are able to characterize yourself as an applicant with the maturity to acknowledge past shortcomings and show how you’ve learned from your mistakes, it can work to mitigate poor grades or lackluster extracurricular involvement.

Show Your Growth

It’s also important to communicate how you’ve improved since your dip in grades/disciplinary action/etc., and how you plan to continue performing well for the remainder of high school and throughout college. If you have an upward grade trend, that can provide strong evidence to corroborate what you say in the additional information section. 

This advice applies to applicants who may have less-than-stellar extracurricular profiles as well. Maybe you struggled with untreated anemia early in high school, and the exhaustion you experienced prevented you from dedicating yourself to after-school activities. In that case, explaining how you’ve made an effort to become more involved in extracurriculars since getting your anemia under control with medication can help reassure admissions officers that you will do your very best to be an engaged member of their campus community.

Also remember that in general, it’s better to display stronger academic habits over time, even if you initially struggled, than to have straight A’s initially but allow yourself to become lazy in your last few semesters. Your more recent academic performance is more indicative of the student you’ll be in college.

Have Realistic Expectations

However, it’s important to note that to be admitted to top schools, providing an explanation and having an upward trend in academic performance won’t completely cancel out a relatively low GPA. While, as mentioned before, GPA is not an absolute determinant of whether or not you will be admitted, it is still among the most important aspects of your application.

To be a strong candidate for top schools, your reason for poor performance must be extremely compelling, such as a serious illness, the death of a family member, or other exceptional family circumstances. The same applies for disciplinary records: while minor infractions are more excusable, major instances of academic dishonesty or repeated offenses will harm your application, regardless of how eloquently you write about them in the additional information section.

Be Direct and to The Poin t

Finally, as you’re writing your exceptional personal circumstances statement, remember that this is not a second common app essay, nor a supplemental essay where you demonstrate your writing talent. It’s best to keep these essays short and specific, and to state your circumstances as plainly as possible. 

The admissions committee will not be thinking about the strength of your writing. Rather, they will be evaluating your story and its impact on your academic profile. With this in mind, it’s best to take some time to make sure you’re telling your story as clearly and effectively as possible, versus trying to flex your creative writing muscles.

If you choose to utilize the additional information section, it’s crucial that you highlight how learning from past actions has made you a stronger applicant, rather than focusing on the actions themselves and trying to excuse yourself for or otherwise diminish them.

So much of the application process is, essentially, self-marketing: presenting yourself in the best possible light, emphasizing your strengths, and demonstrating how your overall experiences, positive or negative, have made you into the person you are. A subpar GPA, disciplinary record, or lack of extracurricular involvement might seem like the death knell for your shot at admission to a top school, but this isn’t necessarily true. If you can frame that information in a positive way, its adverse impact on your application can be mitigated.

If you do have extenuating circumstances you want to explain, you’ll want to be sure your explanation is as clear and informative as possible. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of this essay, or any other, from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Should You Discuss a Low GPA in Your Graduate Admissions Essay?

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The purpose of the graduate admissions essay is to permit admissions committees a glimpse of the applicant apart from his or her grade point average and standardized test scores. The admissions essay is your chance to speak directly with the committee, explain why you are a good candidate for graduate study, and why you are a good match for their graduate program.

Beware of Sharing

However, the opportunity to write an essay for the admissions committee is not an invitation to share all of the intimate details of your life. Committees may view providing too many private details as an indicator of immaturity, naivete, and/or poor professional judgment - all of which can send your graduate application to the slush pile.  

When to Talk about Your GPA

In most cases, your best bet is to focus on your strengths and not discuss your grade point average. Avoid drawing attention to the negative aspects of your application unless you can balance them with positive factors. Discuss your GPA only if you intend to explain specific circumstances, courses, or semesters. If you choose to discuss weaknesses such as a low GPA, consider how the circumstances surrounding your low GPA will be interpreted by the admissions committee. For example, explaining poor grades for one semester by briefly mentioning a death in the family or serious illness is appropriate; however, an attempt to explain four years of poor grades is not likely to be successful.

Keep all excuses and explanations to a minimum -- a sentence or two. Avoid drama and keep it simple.  Some applicants explain that they don't test well and therefore their GPA is not indicative of their ability. This is not likely to work as most graduate programs entail many tests and the ability to perform well under such circumstances is valued.

Seek Guidance

Before you discuss your GPA within your graduate admissions essay seek the advice of a professor or two. Do they think it's a good idea? What do they think of your explanation? Take their advice seriously - even if it is not what you hoped to hear.

Above all, remember that this is your chance to present your strengths and really shine, so take advantage of the opportunity to discuss your accomplishments, describe valuable experiences, and emphasize the positive.

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How to Make Up for a Low GPA in College Applications

Madeleine Karydes

Lead admissions expert, table of contents, low gpa in college applications.

Stay up-to-date on the latest research and college admissions trends with our blog team.

It’s common for high school students to feel as if their grade point average (aka GPA) means everything on a college application. While it does matter, it doesn’t mean everything. A low GPA does not mean you cannot get into a great school or even your first choice! Yes, it does mean you’ll have to make up for it elsewhere on your application—but it’s not as difficult as it may seem.  Let’s discuss how to make up for a low GPA in college applications.

Your college application is designed to demonstrate you as a complete person. Many schools now practice “holistic” admissions . This includes putting your GPA into context. Once you’ve done that, you’ll want to identify your strengths outside of the classroom, and then highlight them on your application.

How to Make Up for a Bad GPA in Context

Before we get carried away dissecting how to make up for a bad GPA, let’s do a reality check. First, determine the context of your high school grade report. Is it really low, or does it just seem low to you? To find out where your GPA stands in comparison to successful college applicants, you can search online for the average GPA of students admitted to certain schools, or you can ask a college counselor. 

If your GPA is on the low side, consider why that happened. Did you have a hard time adjusting to your first year or so of high school, but your grades improved? Have you had some difficulty in your personal life at some point? Did you take a lot of honors or AP classes? [If so, remember that advanced classes might boost your weighted GPA !]

Regardless, by taking note of why your GPA is low, you can help yourself and college admissions by giving them context for it on your application.

How to Get into College with a Low GPA with Test Scores

Remember that your grades are not the only numerical means to prove yourself as a quality student. If you’re still stuck on how to get into colleges with a low GPA, look for other academic metrics you can submit. For instance, if you are able to turn out some impressive scores on the SAT or the ACT , a college will see what you’re capable of in academic performance in different settings. You can help yourself out before taking the test by enrolling in an SAT or ACT preparation course as well.

You may also want to consider submitting AP test scores, state qualifying exams, or other academic extracurricular performances that are relevant. If you struggle to pay attention in class but excel in other academic areas, you could be considered a splitter candidate. More on splitter candidates here.

Write a Great Essay to Counterbalance a Low GPA

In some cases, you can address the context of your low GPA in your college essay. More importantly, though, the college essay is a great opportunity to demonstrate your analytical skills. Excellent writing shows your ability to communicate well. The personality aspect of the essay gives a personal touch to your application in a way your grades or test scores never could. Choosing an academic topic may help you here as well by giving a unique demonstration of your knowledge in a particular subject!

Most of all, your essays are your chance to tell the story in your own words and connect with the admissions reader on a personal level. Exceptional essays with a compelling reason for your academic track record may even make up for a low GPA. It’s worth taking the time to ensure your drafts are the best they can be. If you need additional support reviewing your application essays, consider working with a professional essay team like Empowerly.

Shift Focus from GPA to Accomplishments: Boost Your Extracurriculars

This is a great strategy if you’re deeply involved in specific extracurriculars and have evidence to demonstrate your hard work. If you have extensive arts or athletic experience, or if you have participated in unique volunteer or entrepreneurial work, colleges will pay attention. What’s more, if you sacrificed time and sleep for these activities, your extracurriculars could even be a reasonable explanation for a low GPA in college applications. Be careful, though, as you don’t want the college admission readers to think you can’t balance your workload.

Take Some Time : Colleges that Accept Low GPA

If you can’t make up for your GPA at this time, that doesn’t mean college is not in your future. Consider starting at a community college or a high-acceptance college to raise your grades, and then transferring to your preferred school later. You could also take a gap year to boost your activities and test scores. Additionally, some four-year colleges will accept students on a “ conditional acceptance ,” which is often based on a student’s academic performance in their first year of college.

You can also do some research and look into which colleges that accept a low GPA might serve your needs. Consider your personal goals and what timeline makes the most sense for you! A low GPA in college applications doesn’t have to hold you back. There are many junior colleges, state schools, and community colleges with open enrollment that can jumpstart your plans and confer a degree in your field of choice.

You are a whole person, and college admissions offices want to get the best sense of everything you have to offer. Your GPA, while an important piece of that, does not define you as a whole. You might even surprise yourself by finding a new college that accepts students with low GPAs to get started right away. In the end, no single statistic should determine your future path. Accepting and owning your GPA as it is, and using your application as an opportunity to demonstrate the other wonderful things about you, can help you transcend. Not only that, it will impress colleges with your self-awareness, honesty, and demonstration of self-worth. You can do this!

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How to Get Accepted Into College With a Low GPA

Students with a low GPA may want to consider community college or alternative admissions programs.

How to Get Into College With a Low GPA

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Experts recommend students with poor grades on their transcripts apply during regular admission and use the extra time to take challenging courses and improve their GPA.

As a high school student in Tennessee, Austin Herrera knew he wanted to go to college . But with grades ranging from A's to D's, he also knew his options would be limited. 

Understand College Admissions Algorithms

Josh Moody Sept. 30, 2020

Herrera says he was too distracted in school, and his reputation as a class clown, participation in extracurricular activities and lack of interest and effort led to a low GPA . Dyslexia, he says, was another hurdle that affected his grades and confidence. 

"I doubted myself and sort of gave up on myself when I saw the grades that I had because I would work hard and study, but I still came out with a low grade," he wrote in an email. 

Herrera switched high schools his senior year and used the new atmosphere to change direction and focus on the future. Realizing that his past academic problems would affect his college admission chances, Herrera used his personal statement to acknowledge his grades, discuss his learning disability and show his interest in studying business and film. 

"I explained dyslexia – what it was and how I learned. I just explained that I'm a very hard worker and passionate," he says.

Herrera was accepted into two of the five schools he applied to and went on to study film at Columbia College Chicago  several years ago.

For students who struggle academically in high school, the college application process can be especially stressful. A low GPA can prevent teens from getting accepted into top universities – like the Ivy League schools – and other selective colleges, but there are still options. 

Admissions experts say high schoolers can explain an academic dip in their college applications and spend the rest of their senior year making their applications more appealing. Another piece of advice: Students should discover the root cause of those academic shortcomings.

"I think they need to explore what is getting in the way. Are they not studying? Are they not studying efficiently? Is there an unidentified learning or attentional issue? Is there an emotional problem? Is something getting in the way that they're not sharing?" says Janet Rosier, a former admissions consultant and author of "May 2: Practical Advice for College Freshmen and Their Parents."

Students should talk to a counselor to examine all their options, but the following six strategies can help those with bad grades strengthen their college applications:

• Take responsibility and offer an explanation for the low GPA.
• Get recommendation letters from teachers and counselors.
• Get good standardized test scores.
• Wait to apply and improve your GPA.
• Consider alternative admissions programs.
• Start at a community college.

Take Responsibility and Offer an Explanation for the Low GPA

There are many reasons a student's grades can drop, including family issues, illness, a switch in teachers during the year or a lack of maturity. And now the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted many schools to shift classes online and disrupted the in-person educational experience for millions of high school students, can be added to that list.

Admissions officials recognize that an applicant's GPA isn't always an indicator of capability, but students need to write an honest explanation about their grades, experts say. 

"Everybody makes mistakes; there's not one perfect person out there. But how do you learn from those mistakes – if you can explain it thoughtfully and in a mature way, oftentimes a college is going to understand that," says Kat Cohen, CEO and founder of IvyWise, an educational consulting company based in New York. 

Students can discuss poor grades in a college application essay, also called a personal statement, or in the additional information field on the Common Application . 

"Anything that the student can provide to explain that (GPA) would be helpful," says Monica Brockmeyer, senior associate provost for student success at Wayne State University in Detroit. "They should be transparent, because (GPA) is already visible to admissions officers through their transcripts. Colleges already know, so they're looking to understand the situation and circumstances better."

She adds that admissions officials understand that "every learner is on a journey."

The coronavirus pandemic may have blown some students off course in 2020. Rosier advises those who struggled to explain the challenges they faced on the new optional section added to the Common Application, which asks about the personal effects that COVID-19 had. Students can use this section to explain the absence of test scores, a dip in their GPA or other areas that may require additional context, such as explaining why they took pass-fail classes and why those appear on their transcript.

"It is crucial that students explain to the colleges any drop in grades, whether this was COVID-19 related or because of other issues. Colleges understand that COVID-19 has been disruptive for many students and in various ways," Rosier says.

Get Recommendation Letters From Teachers and Counselors

A good word from a high school counselor or teacher who knows a student well can go a long way in college admissions, experts say. 

"Sometimes a great letter of recommendation can come from a teacher who has seen a student greatly improve their grade and go from very low to very high, even if the student has higher grades in other classes," Cohen says. 

High school students should develop close relationships with counselors and teachers and have an explicit discussion about what they would like addressed before a letter is written, experts say. This is another area where students can touch on challenges prompted by COVID-19, including a slip in GPA.

Get Good Standardized Test Scores

High ACT or SAT scores won't cancel out a low GPA, but in addition to a good explanation and recommendation letters, high test scores can help students show that they have the ability to succeed in college.

Jeffrey Baylor, executive director of admissions at West Texas A&M University , says that a holistic review of an applicant will factor in test scores, GPA, class rank, recommendations, extracurricular activities and the high school curriculum.

For students with a low GPA, one option he suggests is to retake the ACT or SAT and invest in a study guide.

However, 2020 ACT and SAT cancellations due to coronavirus concerns made it impossible for many students to take the test even once. Fortunately for applicants, colleges have proven flexible on this point, with many temporarily shifting to test-optional admissions . "Due to COVID-19, the ability to take the standardized tests was out of the control of many students and colleges understand that," Rosier says.

Wait to Apply and Improve Your GPA

Early admission is extremely competitive, so experts recommend students with poor grades on their transcripts apply during regular admission and use the extra time to take challenging courses and improve their GPA. 

"Focusing on your grades now is critical. There are lots of different ways to improve your grades," Cohen says. 

Students should use their teachers as tutors, visiting them frequently to discuss what to focus on and what weaknesses to address, she says. 

Consider Alternative Admissions Programs

For those eyeing a four-year college, an alternative admissions program may be the way in. If a student's GPA is below the school's standards, he or she may still be admitted under certain conditions. As part of the program, students receive additional academic support in their first year of college and beyond, depending on the curriculum.

One such example is Academic Pathways to Excellence at Wayne State, which focuses on sharpening students' academic skills as they enter college.

"It provides them a transition period between high school and college to really understand how college learning is different from high school learning, to get extended support or even some remediation of writing skills or mathematics skills or other barriers like that," Brockmeyer says.

Brockmeyer did not comment on the lowest accepted GPA at Wayne State. But students looking for colleges that accept a 2.0 GPA or similar may be well served by looking into alternative admissions programs.

Start at a Community College

For students without the academic background needed for a four-year institution, admissions officials recommend attending a community college . That's especially true if students need to catch up on developmental coursework. 

Baylor says West Texas A&M advises underperforming students to consider attending community college in the summer after high school graduation and completing six hours of college-level credit while earning a C or better in those courses.

He also says students should consider attending a community college in the fall or spring semester, earn 12 hours of college-level credit with a 2.0 minimum GPA and then apply to a four-year college as a transfer student . That time in a community college can help demonstrate that a student is ready for university-level coursework.

Admissions officials want to make sure applicants will be able to thrive in college. Students with a bad GPA will need to prove that their past poor grades aren't indicative of who they are now and their capabilities as college students. 

"I think that a lot of students don't understand how much all of what they do in high school impacts their overall GPA," says Samantha Taylor, director of admissions operations at the University of North Texas .

"And I have seen students who had a bad semester or two really turn it around and come back, particularly if they did poorly in their freshman year and then got more serious with their sophomore, junior and senior years," she says. "But students who have obviously been consistently performing poorly over quite a bit of time, it's difficult to turn it around."

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, do i need to explain a low gpa in my college application.

Hi all! I'm a junior, and my GPA isn't as high as I'd like it to be. I've faced some personal challenges that have affected my grades, and I'm wondering if I should explain this in my college application. Is it necessary to address a low GPA, or should I focus on other aspects of my application? Thanks for any advice!

Hey there! I completely understand how you might be concerned about your GPA. In my experience with my own child, it's important to be honest in your college applications. If you've faced personal challenges that have affected your grades, it's a good idea to explain them briefly in your application. Many colleges appreciate when applicants are open about their circumstances, as it helps them better understand the context of your academic performance. However, don't dwell too much on it; focus on highlighting your strengths and other aspects of your application that showcase your potential. Remember, many colleges take a holistic approach when evaluating applicants, so GPA is just one of the factors they consider. Best of luck with your college applications!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Explain Low Undergraduate Grades to Graduate School

Reasons for a Hardship Withdrawal From College

You’re thinking about applying to graduate school, but you have some low undergraduate grades on your college transcript. Although you may have a few low grades on your college transcript, that does not mean that your graduate school admissions application is going to be rejected. Many people have low undergraduate grades for a variety of reasons, but it is up to you to explain these low grades to the graduate school. There are a few things that you can do to help you better explain your low undergraduate grades.

Identify the reasons for your low undergraduate grades. There are many reasons why a person may have low undergraduate grades, such as having a medical illness, experiencing high levels of stress or depression, having a learning disability, working extensive hours on the job, dealing with the death of a loved one, suffering from abuse or being involved in a terrible accident. These types of things can definitely have an impact on your academic performance, which can result in low undergraduate grades.

Write an essay or statement of purpose explaining your low undergraduate grades. Your essay should address the specific reasons for each low undergraduate grade appearing on your college transcript. For instance, perhaps you were in a car accident, and you could not attend classes for a couple of weeks or so. And as a result, you fell behind on your assignments and your grades dropped. Also, be sure to discuss things that you did to improve your academic performance in college, like hiring a tutor or joining a study group.

Ask your professors to write a letter of recommendation for you. Politely ask your professors to explain the reasons for your low grades to the graduate school. A strong letter of recommendation can be very beneficial to your application package, and the graduate school may certainly appreciate this kind gesture from your professors.

Include relevant documents with your application package. For example, depending on the reasons for your low undergraduate grades, you may chose to provide important documents such as hospital records, accident reports, death certificates of loved ones and medical evaluations from your doctor. These types of documents can verify and support your explanation for your low grades.

Discuss your low grades during the interview. You may choose to further explain the reasons for your low undergraduate grades during the interview process with the graduate school. You can also discuss any relevant information that you did not include in your personal essay about your low grades.

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Gwynita Leggington has written and published articles since 2006. Her areas of expertise include health and wellness, education, careers, personal finance and dating. Leggington's work appears on eHow.com, Answerbag.com and Essortment.com. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications and a Master of Arts in counseling from Prairie View A&M University.

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College Admissions

Whether you are just starting high school or already at the application stage, read on to see the many things you can do to either raise your GPA, boost the rest of your application, explain your circumstances, or even find an alternate route to a degree.

What Is Considered a Low GPA? Is Your GPA Actually Low?

A low GPA may be a little bit like beauty—in the eye of the beholder. You might feel that your GPA is low because it falls below the average at your target school. Or maybe your grades really aren't so hot. Generally speaking, highly selective colleges consider 3.5 to be on the low end. At most other schools, low GPA scores are in the 2.0 range.

To find out whether your GPA could weight down the rest of your application, first research what the average acceptance GPA is at each of your target schools. To do this, try searching for "[college name] admission GPA" or "[college name] average GPA."

• Is your GPA only slightly below (.1 or .2 points less) the averages you found? Then excellent test scores and a solid application will go a long way to make up for it!
• Is your GPA much lower than the averages you found? The read on for our advice on what to do about it.

Get that GPA up! Higher... higher...

Can You Raise Your GPA?

Grades 9 and 10.

If you're a freshman or sophomore, great news! You still have time to get your GPA up through dedicated studying.

For example, imagine Hailey ends freshman year with a GPA of 2.5 (a B-/C+ average). If she then really puts her shoulder to the wheel and gets straight A-'s in 10th grade, her GPA would go up to 3.1. If she continues the hard work and earns more A-'s junior year, she'll be looking at a 3.3 GPA!

With that in mind, ask yourself what is holding your GPA back:

• Are you struggling in a particular subject? Think about getting a tutor to help you catch up, or ask your teacher for extra help outside of class.
• Are you so overwhelmed with extracurricular demands that you don't have enough time to study? If you aren't doing this outside interest at a very high level, think about pulling back a bit to give yourself room to do to schoolwork.
• Are you bored by your classes? This sounds counterintuitive, but think about whether a harder level class will spur extra interest—and extra effort on your part.

Grades 11 and 12

If you are already in the second half of high school, you probably won't be able to significantly raise your GPA.

For example, picture Sven, who ended his junior year with a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Because college applications are due in the middle of senior year, he only has one semester to bring up his grades. Even if he manages to get straight A's during that semester, his GPA will still only be 2.7—not a huge improvement.

But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to do your best anyway:

• Are you doing better and better? Even if your grades are low, if you can show colleges that your GPA is on an upward trend, you will demonstrate that you have untapped potential.
• Are you taking difficult, honors-level classes? Ask your guidance counselor whether your school can provide colleges with a weighted GPA that will give colleges a sense of your challenging course load.
• Do you have the resources to take an extra year? Many private boarding schools offer a postgraduate year (basically a 5th year of high school). Classes that you take during this year factor into your GPA, giving you time to raise it. To find these schools, search for "boarding schools with PG year."

College applications put together the pieces to solve the puzzle of you.

Can You Boost Your Application in Other Ways?

Did you know that although the GPA is very important, it is only one part of the many different things admissions officers take into account? Focusing on these other pieces of the application is a key strategy for offsetting a low GPA.

Boost 1: Raise Your Test Scores

If your GPA shows how you compare to the rest of your classmates, then SAT or ACT scores show how you rank compared to students across the whole country. It's no wonder they are another key component of your college application—and that having high test scores greatly improves your application!

For example, imagine Stella, who would love to go to the University of Georgia. Unfortunately, her not-so-great work habits resulted in a GPA of 3.3, which is below UGA's average. Using our admissions calculator , we can see that If she also gets 1290 on her SAT's, she has only a 17% chance of getting into UGA. But, if she busts her derriere over 3-4 months to get a 1450, her chances of getting in go up to almost 50!

To see how your chances to get into the University of Georgia would change if you GPA stayed the same but your SAT scores goes up, check out our UGA admissions calculator .

To find our admissions tools for other schools, just Google "[name of school] admissions prepscholar" (for example, "UCLA admissions prepscholar").

Boost 2: Hype Your Non-Academic Skills and Talents

It makes no sense to judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree—so admissions officers don't judge applicants only on their academics. If they did, they would miss applicants who have other amazing qualities.

Do You Already Do Remarkable Extracurricular Things?

• Do you play sports at a very high level?
• Are you deeply involved in theater, music, or the visual arts?
• Do you hold an unusually important leadership position in any clubs or organizations?
• Do you spend your free time building impressive things like robots, buildings, or vehicles?
• Are you an entrepreneur who has started a business or two?

If you have skills and talents that don't show up on your transcript, make sure your application makes a big deal out of these other accomplishments. Colleges will be impressed and can even infer that spending so much time on your other talents may have caused your grades to fall a bit.

Can You Start Doing Remarkable Extracurricular Things?

If you're a junior or have the summer before senior year, it's not too late to improve your extracurricular depth. Figure out what you're interested in and good at, and try to take it to the next level. Read our guide to getting into the top schools in the country for more examples of how to do this.

Another way to show off your non-academic talents is to take a gap year between high school and college. However, this only makes sense if you have an opportunity for really meaningful travel, an internship, or a job that will make you a more appealing applicant.

So, taking a year off to surf is probably not the best idea. But, taking a year off to teach English to kids in Ecuador or to participate in AmeriCorps could be just what your application—and your sense of personal achievement and maturity—needs.

Boost 3: Amaze With Your Essay

The third key element of your college application is the essay. Imagine it: a space reserved just for your voice, where you get to define yourself and what is important to you!

Just how important is the essay? Dean Fred Hargadon, who was the head of admissions at Princeton when I went there, could remember off the top of his head what each admitted student's essay was about!

To set your application apart, consider writing about:

• How excited you are about studying X
• The talents, strengths, or challenges that aren't in your transcript

If you need help getting started, check out our step-by-step guide to writing an outstanding college essay.

Sometimes complicated situations have simple explanations.

Can You Explain Your Low GPA?

Sometimes your GPA is low because of circumstances outside your control. If this is the case you can use the rest of your application to explain and give context.

Was There a Crisis in Your Home?

When you or your family undergoes a period of personal, financial, or health-related upheaval, it's perfectly understandable that your grades could slip.

For example, in 10th grade I became very depressed when my parents got divorced, and my grades that year were B's and C's. Junior year, I brought my grades up, got excellent test scores, and wrote an essay explaining how hard it was to suddenly have to live alone for weeks on end while my mom traveled for her job. My high school counselor also explained the situation, and I ended up going to Princeton.

Colleges are happy to take these kinds of events into consideration, so let them know the difficulty you overcame or are still facing:

• First, write an excellent essay explaining what happened
• Then, make sure your recommendation letter writers also mention these extenuating circumstances

Did You Attend a Failing or Underperforming School?

Unfortunately, not all high schools can provide a great education.

If you went to a school that did not have enough resources, look into programs that cater specifically to students whose circumstances have not allowed their potential to develop. Two examples are:

• The Northern Illinois University Deacon Davis CHANCE Program
• The University of Minnesota's TRIO Program

They will all get you there eventually.

Is There Another Way to Get a College Degree?

If boosting your GPA, raising your test scores, or highlighting your extracurriculars all seem out of reach, you can pursue alternative paths to get a college degree.

Split Up Your College Experience

One option is to transfer from a lower tier college to a higher tier one after one or two years. If you would rather not figure out the logistics of this yourself, consider starting with a community college.

Some state universities now offer "2+2" Programs, affiliating themselves with community colleges so that students can earn an associate degree and then get guaranteed admission to the state university. The advantage of these programs is that you will have advisers keeping you on the right track for your major and course of study.

One example is the 2 Plus 2 Plan at the University of Iowa . To find others, search for "[your state university name] 2+2 program."

Four-Year College Options

There are many schools that will accept students with a very low GPA, and even some that will accept anyone who applies. For example, check out this list of the easiest colleges to get into .

What's Next?

Ready to raise your SAT or ACT scores? Start with PrepScholar's best SAT advice and best ACT advice .

Got high SAT/ACT scores, but still struggling with a lagging GPA? Learn what to do about it here .

Need to get a handle on the college application process? This infographic lays it all out for you.

Excited to build a dynamic college application? Here is advice on how to make yourself sound competitive anywhere .

Anna scored in the 99th percentile on her SATs in high school, and went on to major in English at Princeton and to get her doctorate in English Literature at Columbia. She is passionate about improving student access to higher education.

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How To Get into Grad School With a Low GPA

Worried that you won’t be able to get into the graduate school of your dreams because your GPA is low? Don’t be. Less-than-stellar grades can be overcome as long as you have a plan.

Almost all graduate school applications require transcripts. But a large reason for that requirement is to (1) verify that you earned an undergrad degree, and (2) ensure that they have an official record of it. In short, just because a transcript is required doesn’t mean it’s of paramount importance. Your transcript is one component of your application, and it is considered together with your statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and usually some samples of past essays or other work. Many schools also require standardized test scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Others may ask for additional materials, too. Some programs weight GPAs heavily. But others might be more interested in how you did in courses relevant to the program. Certain programs might look foremost at your portfolio, recommendations, or statement of purpose to provide a sense of how you’ll fare in their program. Still others might want to see relevant experience, such as work or an internship, and not be particularly concerned with a GPA. The bottom line: You’ll need to know how the programs you’re interested in think about GPAs during the admissions process. Here are eight steps you should take to gain admission to your top-choice graduate programs, regardless of your undergraduate GPA.

1. Know the requirements

You’ll need to do your research to find out whether the graduate programs you’re interested in have specific requirements regarding GPAs. Check to see whether a minimum GPA for applicants is listed on each program’s website. Some sites may also give average GPA scores of past successful applicants. It’s a good idea to research GPA requirements for all the programs you’re considering. Ultimately, you should plan to apply to about five graduate programs : two safety schools where admission should be pretty easy, two solid schools where your chances are good, and a dream-but-still-possible school. Then, assess how you stack up vis-à-vis the requirements. Maybe your GPA gives you a fighting chance after all. Or maybe it seems as if the school is going to look at that one number and send a thin envelope, not a fat one. If it’s the latter, read on to find out what you should to next.

2. Talk to the faculty

Make an appointment with some faculty members you’re interested in working with. After demonstrating your interest in (and research of) the program and discussing how your experience makes you a solid fit, ask them frankly how your application would be viewed, given your GPA. If there are any mitigating circumstances surrounding your low GPA, let them know. If you were going through difficult life circumstances, for example, some programs take that into account. If, however, you were thrown by the material, the response may vary, depending on its relevance to the program. Going for a master’s in computer science? If your transcript shows a C in calculus, eyebrows might be raised because calculus is very important in computer science . But admissions committees are likely not to care as much if your lower grades are in not-so-relevant areas. Earning a C in French literature may not sink a computer science application, as long as you can meet the program’s subject-specific requirements.

3. Complete additional coursework

If the program wants you to demonstrate more or better knowledge than your GPA signals, taking one or more courses might do the trick. Earning an A in a standalone calculus class would show that you’ve mastered that key material. Depending on the subject matter, you may also be able to earn a certificate for completing online courses.

4. Pursue relevant field experience

You can also demonstrate skills mastery via work experience. Look for internships, research assistantships, volunteer opportunities, and other professional leads that will help you acquire hands-on experience in your prospective graduate field. The network you’ll cultivate in that pursuit is also likely to help you establish yourself in the field—during graduate school and beyond.

5. Publish in your subject

If you do original research, work on an exciting project, or otherwise make a contribution to your field, then write about it—and get your work published! Showing that you can pass muster in peer review will be a significant plus for your candidacy.

6. Use your statement of purpose

Write a thoughtful, clearly formulated statement of purpose in which you communicate—by showing, not telling—your understanding of and passion for your chosen field. Write with specificity about the research you hope to do in graduate school. Demonstrate your familiarity with the faculty by expressing how—and why—you hope to work with a few specific professors. You’ll need to make a compelling affirmative case, with plenty of specifics. (That’s true regardless of your undergraduate GPA!)

7. Consider submitting a separate letter of explanation

Depending on a program’s GPA requirements, you may be advised to submit a separate letter of explanation. (In some cases, your explanation may be included as part of your statement of purpose; you’ll need to follow the guidelines of each program to which you’re applying.) In your explanation, you’ll want to be clear and concise. If your relatively low GPA doesn’t reflect your abilities, explain why. If, for instance, you had a family emergency one semester, you can explain that your grades fell due to those personal circumstances—but in that case, committees will probably want to see that you successfully pulled them back up. If the cause of your low GPA is still ongoing, the committee will want to ensure that you’ll be able to complete your graduate work satisfactorily.

8. Focus on recommendations

Most graduate programs ask for recommendation letters. Your recommenders can discuss your qualifications, including your GPA, and make the case for the kind of work you are capable of doing (and have done for them!). Say you have a GPA on the low side, but your environmental bio research project really blew your professor away. If she recommends you as someone with great potential for research, her endorsement can significantly strengthen your application. If you’re able to do research-assistant work for someone in your field (perhaps even someone in the graduate program you’re hoping to gain admission to), then that person’s recommendation may carry even greater weight.

In short: There are several ways to overcome a low GPA. Grades are an important—but not exclusive—signifier of future academic success. If your grades alone don’t make your case, then let the work you have produced and the relationships you have nurtured earn you admission to your chosen graduate program. While you don’t need to act on all of the suggestions presented here, you should strive to set yourself apart from other candidates. If you ensure that the other (non-GPA) parts of your application shine, you may very well earn a coveted spot in your dream graduate program.

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Permanent Link: https://blogs.babson.edu/graduate/2012/08/31/the-optional-essay-and-why-you-should-opt-in/

Graduate Blog / Graduate Admissions

The optional essay and why you should opt in.

By Barbara Selmo | August 31, 2012

I have been blogging about how to embark on the MBA application process as a research project. But a recent conversation I had with a colleague (thanks, James) inspired me to jump right to an aspect of the application that many of you may not be ready for: the optional essay .

Like a lot of other business schools, Babson offers you the opportunity to submit an optional essay, that is, an essay in addition to the three required. Like other schools, we let you decide your topic. What is constantly surprising to me, though, is how few applicants really use this essay to their full advantage.   Here are five ways in which you can successfully use this option, plus: a stylistic tip and a few examples of how misusing the optional essay can diminish your prospects as well as potentially alienate a very busy Admissions Committee.

1.       Explain your undergraduate performance.

Don’t use this essay just to explain your low GPA, or why you did poorly in your major, or why in one semester you earned 3 D’s, an F, and a Withdrawal. Use it to explain what happened, how you overcame your performance. You can – and should – take time to address the bigger picture. The Committee would really like to read your answers, because they had these very questions after reviewing your transcript.

2.       Explain your scores.

Being a bad test taker may be your reason for low scores, but if you chose to use your optional essay to explain a GMAT or GRE score, I recommend you set some context for your poor test taking skills/ability and provide some hard evidence. For TOEFL/IELTS takers, this essay is a great place for giving examples of why your English skills are far better than your scores (case in point—the essay itself is an example of your English skills).

3.       Explaining your work history.

Serial temp? Travelled the world a little too long? Or, conversely, have some stupendous successes on the job? All these points can be masterfully addressed in a pithy, example-laden essay.

4.       Special circumstances

College, test taking, work settings—your performance in all of these settings can easily be affected by a major life crisis or personal challenge. If you experienced a crisis, use this essay to explain, in a succinct and sensitive way, what we should know about it and its effects on you.

5.       Successes, awards, special recognition

Although Babson, like many schools, has a section in the application in which you can enter awards and honors, you may like to describe in detail the honors and accolades you have received or the successes you have achieved. Please do.

STYLISTIC TIPS for the Optional Essay

• Stick to the word limit, if given one.  If not, 250 words suffice.
• Write an essay (lots of on-line and old school reference material on the structure of an essay are available). Three short sentences do not make an optional essay.

And finally, how NOT to use the Optional Essay:

• For excuses
• For complaints
• For repeating the contents of our website in an effort to convince the Admissions Committee that you really, really love us.

Good luck.  Think big.

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Tagged Optional College Essay , Optional Essay , Optional Essay Example , Optional Graduate School Essay , Optional MBA Essay

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