<p>Should I explain my bad my high school grades in the "circumstances" section of the Common Application?</p>
<p>I moved from a different country (Australia) towards the end of my sophomore year - it was kind of hard to adjust socially and academically for a while.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what the GPA is but I know it is lower than what some of the schools I am applying to expect.
My college GPA is 4.0 - 50 credits by the end of this semester (straight As this semester too).</p>
<p>Did you get substantial bad grades? like multiple D’s? or Many C’s? or any F’s?</p>
<p>No Ds or anything.
Lowest at our school was C’s.
And yeh I got a few Cs and mostly Bs.</p>
<p>But do you think it is a legit reason? I mean I wasn’t like attacked or anything serious like that. But I did move in the middle of I guess crucial years - and the academic system is quite different. I think it is the social aspect that kind of hit me the hardest.</p>
<p>i guess its really up to you, but if you’re gonna do it, i recommend that you don’t go on and on and on about it. Admissions people might just think you’re making an excuse.
It’s a good reason to cite, but just don’t drag it on forever.</p>
<p>^ Agreed. I would spend at most a paragraph talking about it. I actually mentioned it in my personal statements and then went on to explain how i’ve buckled down and focused on my studies. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses guys.
So how would I say this without whining?
The whole “get ready for college starting grade 7” isn’t big in Australia. In fact, 12th grade is all that matters from what I recall.</p>
<p>So should I say that “I’ve learnt from my mistakes?” and say that I am working hard now?</p>
<p>you can say that
or you can just say that you’re now accustomed to things here and it gave you a better perspective of differences in cultures and that you’re working hard now.</p>
<p>Okay cool.
So how long do you think I should make it?</p>
<p>probably a paragraph or around there?</p>
<p>I can’t seem to find a way to say this without making it sound like an excuse.
But isn’t it just that - an excuse?</p>
<p>I guess it naturally will sound like an excuse, but you can say how you used it as a stepping stone to better yourself. When i say not to make it sound like an excuse, i meant don’t be like “oh i only got bad grades because i couldn’t do this” but instead take partial responsibility and state how it became a learning experience and how you’re a better student now because of it.</p>
<p>Wow you’re responses are very concise and helpful.
That makes a lot of sense. Thank you</p>
<p>No problem. All us transfer hopefuls need to help each other out, right? :]</p>
<p>Yeh, I heard they prefer junior transfers though. I will only have 50 credits - maybe I’ll take summer courses to hit 60 lol.</p>
<p>Where are you applying to?</p>
<p>Can anyone else comment on this please?
I need some input on whether I should write something. It is sincere, the was a social and academic shock, and I learned from it.</p>
<p>I’m applying to USC! and UNC, UDub, and UConn
how about you?</p>
<p>markyang27 is giving you great advice. Definitely mention it but don’t make it so negative that they’re focusing on all the bad. I say mention it and then move on. Make it more about what you can contribute to the university as well as what they will give to you in return. I mentioned past failures in my personal statements. Made it one paragraph about 4-5 sentences and moved on. I have gotten into Temple and Ohio State so far. Still waiting on Wisconsin and Minnesota. I’m not saying my statement is what got me in but with my initial poor gpa I think my explanation of things helped my situation. Along with improving my grades. Good luck to you</p>
<p>Wait I thought high school doesnt matter for junior transfers? If so then I’m screwed!!! I have a 3.8 gpa in college but my unweighted high school gpa was 3.1 :(.</p>
<p>^ I was talking about college work. Most schools don’t factor in high school grades if you completed more than 30 credits. If they do ask for high school transcripts it is usually for proof of graduation.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean in the essay. I meant should I put it in the “circumstances” section at the end?</p>