How should I address low GPA on Statement of Purpose?

[boydfink2005]

I have an undergrad GPA of 2.45, which is mitigated by a GMAT score of 680. The school that I am most interested in requires a 2.75 GPA and a 450 GMAT. After talking with the program director, I am still eligible for conditional admission into the program, but of course the GPA still puts me at a disadvantage.

Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose and a resume as part of the admissions process. I don't know if I should put the GPA on the resume, not that they won't see it on the application. However, I know I will have to address the low GPA in the statement of purpose. I cannot think of any factors contributing to a low GPA that would boost my chances. Here are some ideas:I have ADHD, but I never utilized the learning center at school to help me. I had a tendency to slack off at the beginning of the semester but would buckle down towards the end, though I know I can't do that in grad school. I partied quite a bit, sometimes to the point that it interfered with my studies, but I know that's a common reason. I did have to work a little bit while in school, but I'll have to do that while in grad school. I had one bad semester that brought me down, but I still would have fallen short of the 2.75 without it. Aside from that bad semester, my GPA stayed relatively consistent every semester, in the range of 2.25-2.8. I also have a plethora of reasons that, if used, would get my application tossed in the garbage. I have worked as a teller at a local bank for about 2 years, and I'm not sure if this qualifies as "work experience." I also retook a class last semester in which I previously got a D, and bumped it up to an A.

This all being said, how can I address the low GPA in the statement of purpose, and how can I convince admissions staff that I will strive to do better?

[mili]

Hello,

Firstly, I would recommend addressing your low GPA in an optional statement rather than in your statement of purpose. Your statement of purpose should be a narrative of why/how you've gotten to this point in your life, how business school fits into your future vision, etc. It is not a place where you explain away flaws in your application.

That said, you should definitely address the GPA in an optional statement. I'm not sure that there's much you can say, given the below, except that you lacked the maturity in undergrad to take your academics seriously and this resulted in a subpar GPA. Since then, you've cleaned up your act (point to some evidence of this), and you know you are capable of academic success (point to your GMAT). But basically, you want to take full responsibility, show that your priorities have changed and that you are capable and that's it. Keep it short and sweet if possible.

Good luck!
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
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