<p>If I have a 3.0 overall GPA, but my junior + first quarter of senior year GPA is 3.5, do I really need to explain my low GPA?</p>
<p>I don't want to make excuses for my first two years and I think my SoP will sound better without it. Considering that I have heard everywhere that emphasis is placed on junior + senior years (i.e. upper division classes which I excelled in), I want to know if I will be fine. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>Don’t mention it in your SOP and don’t even worry about it. GPA is one of those things that are set in stone and you can’t do anything about.</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>Nope that’s all you get!</p>
<p>If it’s above 3.0 I wouldn’t mention it either. They’ll see the upward trend for themselves and I would be uncomfortable drawing more attention to it than necessary. It’s not unspeakably bad, just make sure you’re not applying to a list of only top-tier schools, eh?</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m only applying to about 2-3 top tier and 7-8 mid/low tier schools. Thanks!</p>
<p>Unrelated, but by any chance are you a Starcraft II fan?</p>
<p>I read a lot of graduate school applications for physics at Illinois Tech and I look for an improvement in the last two years, when the courses are more advanced. I agree that you should not try to make excuses but you can address this indirectly in your personal statement by explaining, for example, that you have become more serious and focused over the past 2 years because of your desire to enter graduate school.</p>
<p>I agree with xraymancs that you should address it. If there was a discernable, non-repeating reason for low grades in early years, address it openly. Explain briefly, show what you learned from it, use last year GPA as proof of your new behavior / approach, then confirm there is no reason to see that happen again in grad school. That seals the event in history. This is only appropriate if you can describe a legitimate difference between early and late grades (sickness, family issue, adjusting to different environment, poor time management, etc). Adcoms would generally view this approach as mature and not whining or excuse filled. </p>
<p>Also this does not need to be in the SOP directly. It could be in the “optional statement” that is usually accepted in an application. Sometimes schools will say something like “if there is anything in your application that needs additional explanation, please submit an optional statement to address it.”</p>
<p>Sounds good. I will definitely include it in any optional section offered during the application process.</p>
<p>Also, if you stop listening to Blackalicious you’ll tend to do better in school.</p>
<p>That advice is golden. Don’t overlook it.</p>