Admissions advice!!!

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hokie123
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Topic: Admissions advice!!!
PostWed Nov 11, 2009 2:40 pm
Lisa,

When is it appropriate to add an optional essay discussing weaknesses. I am applying to MS finance programs and a few of them give you the option to add an additional essay letting the admissions comittee consider anything else. I got a few D's and an 2 F's in a good public school early on in my career. Also, i failed two summer community college classes freshman summer. Is this a trap by the adcom? After taking a semester off I started trying and did well. However I had 3.4 last two years. My gpa is only 3.0 and averages are around 3.3....I am wondering if I should address this or just let the adcom come to the conlusion that I started focusing last two years. I dont want to make excuses or make the adcom's mad.

Thanks.
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hokie123
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PostThu Nov 12, 2009 7:52 am
I will also take advice from former applicants in the same boat. PLEASE HELP
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gkumar
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PostThu Nov 12, 2009 5:51 pm
I think a simple paragraph with 3-4 sentences explaining the events of freshman year and what you learned from it (more important than the event itself) will suffice. Do not make excuses or shift blame. I am also curious on what the consultants will say as well.
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Lisa Anderson
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PostFri Nov 13, 2009 12:27 pm
Dear hokie123,

I think you can go either way on that, but it would probably be best to address your performance in your freshman year in the optional essay. It does not have to be long--a paragraph is sufficient. You just want to acknowledge you did not perform well do to your immaturity and lack of focus, but turned things around in your last two years. Then add 1-2 sentences emphasizing your motivation and commitment for graduate school. Hope that helps.

Best,
Lisa
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