Optional Essays on Application?

Transfer Students
1

<p>I got a grade of D from 2 courses 2 years ago due to medical issue. I repeated the 2 courses and got A from both. My college transcript only includes higher grade of repeated course to calculate GPA, so my GPA is currently 3.9. </p>

<p>However, the old grades can still affect admission, because the records will remain on the transcript although the old grades are not used to calculate GPA. But I have an excuse why I wasn't able to do well on the courses. I can provide my medical record and doctor's note. </p>

<p>Should I mention the medical situation in the optional essay and send my medical record and doctor's note? Would the admission committee consider it? Can this give positive effect to admission? </p>

<p>BTW, I am going to apply to USC(Marshall), NYU(CAS), Emory, UMich(LSA), UNC(ECON)</p>

2

<p>Don’t put it in your optional essay, reserve that to tell the schools something interesting about yourself. Instead put the information under the Additional Information section.</p>