I would like someone to help me. Although, I currently have an OK GPA 3.6, my undergraduate record at the first college I attended is horrible. I was placed on academic probation. I was consequently hospitalized due to a nervous breakdown. All this followed a marriage, a child, then a divorce. A few years later a returned, then I dropped out. After being correctly diagnosed with a ( bipolar disorder) as opposed to depression, which had begun in high school, I started to take courses again at a junior college. I this point, with therapy and medication management my academic performance and confidence just skyrocketed. I ask myself, how can I possibly explain that to an admissions officer. The title officer scares me. Please help me to explain this to someone that will not see this as an excuse. I am a good student and I have so many professors that have seen me perform very, very well. I just want to be given the chance to be accepted into a masters program. In the right environment with people that don't see me as someone that want to make an excuse, I do well. Should I schedule an interview with an admissions counselor.
Dear Libby1,
I think you have to walk a fine line here on how much information you want to divulge about your situation. It is not relevant to your ability to do the work and is quite personal. I do think you will have to address your undergraduate record, both the performance and the timeline, in your application though. I think it is best to state what happened without getting into specifics and focusing the essay on why you are prepared to handle business school now. For example, you should acknowledge that your undergraduate studies were a rocky road filled with multiple challenges. You were young and not able to manage many of life's obstacles with your school demands. Likewise, you were battling a personal illness that was finally diagnosed correctly after you dropped out. Once you had your illness under control, you returned to school and performed better in your classes. Then you should move right into how you understand the rigor of business school and provide examples of how you know you can manage life's challenges.
Hope that makes sense. Best of luck to you!
Lisa
