Writing addendums for graduate applications (Full Version)

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solo_soprano22 -> Writing addendums for graduate applications (5/11/2008 3:19:21 PM)

I'm applying for graduate school sometime next semester (or in January). Several people (professors and others) have told me that I should write a short addendum to my application about the semesters that were affected by illness (four semesters, but three semesters mainly-- the three after my first freshman semester). The first two semesters I tried to tough it out (not a good idea), and my grades suffered...then that third semester I got so bad that I had to withdraw completely and have emergency surgery. (The withdrawals show up on the transcript.)

Other than the terrible grades in those two semesters, I've made only one C...but the bad semesters were such that I can only recover so much, even if I make all A's. I'm still very ill, but I'm trying to manage/plan my classes betterl to accommodate the disorders (they're pain disorders).

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to word it, and what to put in/leave out. Is there a site that can give me some tips?

TIA



zahra -> RE: Writing addendums for graduate applications (5/15/2008 9:42:47 PM)

It seems like your professors are saying you have some major red flags in your transcript that need some explanation, without which the selection committees might not consider your application.

I think they would be very suspicious of any statement that implies "It was totally not my fault." While that may be true, what will probably impress them a lot more is a statement that truthfully acknowledges any personal responsibility (or mistakes) that contributed to the withdrawals. Tell them what your difficult circumstances were (these were definitely not your fault). Also demonstrate that you are a mature person who has been able to reflect on what you struggled with. Acknowledge what you might have done differently if you could do it again. Be humble and honest; avoid being defensive.

I'm not sure I know of any good examples of such addendums. There is probably no great way to say this. Write it as a formal letter ("Dear Selection Committee:") if it helps you get your thoughts down, and then just show it to some people you know whose judgment you trust. :)



solo_soprano22 -> RE: Writing addendums for graduate applications (5/15/2008 11:22:54 PM)

I definitely think they'd consider my transcript without the addendum, because I've recovered quite a bit and my gpa is above the minimum requirements.

I want to write it more because I know what happened to me then, and there was nothing I could do about it. I will tell the conditions (thre), but that's all. I have a feeling my professors are telling me to write it more because they know what's wrong and how it can mess up a person. I only told biology professors who asked. I missed exams and reports that brought me down letter grades, because I was sick and literally in the hospital. I didn't really have any personal mistakes that contributed to my withdrawal. It was all medical, specifically an emergency surgery. Anything that wasn't medical I'm just not addressing. I'm sure they can figure out that I have a C in orgo because orgo is notoriously difficult. [;)] I didn't have a ton of bad grades before; it's just that the ones caused by my inability to be in class are the ones that initially brought down my gpa.



Row1 -> RE: Writing addendums for graduate applications (5/16/2008 12:12:56 PM)

it is a good idea to include a decent explanation somewhere in the application.

i think that i would explain that, at a certain span of time, you dealt with some health issues that included some hospital stays, plus has required you to learn how to manage a chronic illness much earlier in life than many (but not all) people do.

plus, i would avoid details of all this. they don't need to know if you have pain, diabetes, a colostomy bag, a fake leg, controlled seizure disorder, whatever. they just don't need to know any details.

they just need to know: this came upon you, it affected grades, and now, currently, you have learned what the condition is, and how to manage it, and you now are fully capable of pursuing whatever degree or program.

that shows maturity, plus allows you privacy, plus makes the low grades understandable.

you really could knock this out in one decent paragraph actually in the essay. i would figure out someone in your life who would be good at reviewing how this comes across. the 'spin' will be important. you are 'selling' yourself as a potential student where there is apparently some competition.

also, if you are also giving any letters of recommendation, if the recommender knows the situation, they can repeat this same message, and report that they have confidence in your ability, plus they see the grade/illness issue as a reason for some low grades, rather than low ability being the cause of low grades.

I have prayed for you in this app process! Good luck!



solo_soprano22 -> RE: Writing addendums for graduate applications (5/16/2008 2:19:29 PM)

Either way they'll know what's wrong with me, probably in detail-- for another reason. This is biology; not everything is going to be "clean," if that makes sense. My researchs interests aren't clean either, because they include my own ailments. Someone told me to put it in the personal statement, but others tell me an addendum is better. I'd think an addendum would be better just because I want to keep the grade thing separate from my personal statement. Like I said, some C's on there are just from the class being difficult, etc. (namely physics and genetics [;)]); what I want to address is what happened as a result of the disorders and surgeries.



Row1 -> RE: Writing addendums for graduate applications (5/21/2008 3:37:00 PM)

well, if you have some disorder, like multiple sclerosis or cystic fibrosis for example, and want to go to grad school to study specifically to go study that problem, than my vote would be to just say so. Plus, add in that your experience with the problem also caused some unplanned difficulty with undergrad coursework, but the problem or condition is now under control (this part is essential to include if you disclose the problem).

Don't make a big sob story. Just write it up in a sentence or two, and be done with it. I don't see any reason to put it in an addendum. I think it could make a nice, neat story for the application essay.

However, you have to keep in mind that a candidate will not be accepted just because they have a personal interest. Any applicant must also have the academic potential to succeed. If you want to study biology of some disease, but you have never made higher than a C in a biology class, they likely won't take you based solely on personal motivation due to personal experience. If so, all of these diseases would already be cured. I love music, but I would never get accepted to music school, unless they had a degree in sitting around and listening to music (do they?).

If a C in 'orgo' is normal, then don't worry abt that grade. I don't know 'orgo' but I know that Cs for computer programming, engineering, and calculus are generally normal, but if someone has a C in some English lit class, or sociology, then that is not a good sign.



solo_soprano22 -> RE: Writing addendums for graduate applications (5/21/2008 4:03:15 PM)

Yeah, I know the specifics of it; I've been around. I'm just wondering about the addendum. Orgo is notoriously the hardest class in undergrad... so I hear..although I do remember that question being on who wants to be a millionair [;)]; apparently everyone on the face of the earth knew that; I just know it from experience now. I already know no one will take someone just for personal interest. I was interested in biology and research even before I realized how sick I am, and I'm a premed. I was set to be an ob/gyn. I just want to do what I need to, not what everyone else wants me to.



beeper -> RE: Writing addendums for graduate applications (5/23/2008 12:52:41 PM)

I would not worry about it.

I was sick when I was 18/19. I have a blank semester, a semester of sub par grades, and a semester of "W."

When I applied to graduate school, I did not think twice about it. Your GRE and letters from professors will trump a few bad grades.

In other words, I don't think you can make a mistake on this. If you want to attatch a note, I don't think it would hurt you. Letting your record speak for itself is OK too.

Another option is this: if you are somewhat close to a professor, you could ask him/her to mention why you had a rough year or two.

Again, calm yourself....I am not an expert in the natural sciences (my Ph.D. is in Economics), but my guess is that a US citizen with high GREs and good letters will have many choices as to where to go to graduate school even if the GPA is a bit low.



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