Should I use additional application essay? thank you!

[elaine1920]

Originally, I used my additional application essay for hobby to add diversity. But I was wonderring whether I needed to explain why I attended three different undergraduate schools. I suppose to graduate from college in China, but because of family immigration, I moved to U.S. when I only had one year left. I then attended community college to learn English, and transferred and graduated from a four year U.S. institution. My transcript reflected all the transfer credits I had, but apparently, I only received one B.S. degree. My GPA was 3.0 in China, 3.84 in community college and 3.98 when I graduated. I wasn't sure if I should explain further in my additional essay or leave as it is? Not sure if this will be my drawback on the admission process?

Thank you!

[Cindy Tokumitsu]

Hello,

I don't think you have to explain. It's not unusual to have 2 undergrad schools. Having 3 is a little unusual, but the adcom would see the pattern - China, US community college, US 4-year college - and understand. Moreover, you have a strong and upward trending GPA, which further strengthens your educational profile. A low GPA plus the changes might have raised some questions, but the logical path plus strong GPA negate the need for an explanation.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com