I’m a 23-year-old junior at Rutgers University.
I started my college career at the University of Rhode Island in the Fall 0f 2012. I suffered a series of strokes and other neurological issues that caused my grades to suffer. I finished my freshman year with an abysmal 1.85 GPA…I was told by multiple advisors that this should not affect my chances of admission since they are grades from years ago, and I have a legitimate excuse for my performance that I can explain in an addendum essay.
After my freshman year, I transferred to a local community college where I did fairly well and graduated after the Fall of 2014 with an associate’s degree.
I then took 2 and a half years off to work and deal with some personal issues, including the ramifications of my health issues. I returned to school in the Fall of 2016 where I started at Rutgers University. During this semester, I enrolled in four classes. I got an A in my Journalism 201 class, a C+ in my Urban Political Systems class, I withdrew from an elective, and got an F in my Journalism 101 class. I retook the class the following semester and got an A in it.
If the F and “application killer?” I got the F because I missed the withdraw date, and beyond rebounding from my strokes and other neurological issues, I was newly becoming clean and sober. As I was adjusting to my new lifestyle, it was incredibly difficult for me to gauge exactly how much I could handle. I believe my “self-appraisal system” was off, meaning, I thought I could handle more than I could at the time.
What are your general thoughts on the things I presented?
Please let me know when you get the chance.
Thanks!
Sam
Have you taken the LSAT? It sounds like you can explain your grades in a compelling essay but you would probably have to shine and show you are capable in your LSAT. Also pick realistic schools to apply to. No questions it will be an uphill climb and you will have to convince a school that this is something you really want and can be successful at. Good luck!
I have not taken the LSAT yet. I’m hoping to explain my grades in a compelling essay as you are saying. I understand that I need to do well with the time I have remaining in school, and do well on the LSATs. I plan on picking realistic schools to apply to. I understand it will be an uphill climb…I am not naive to this. I’m working with advisors to help me convince a school that this is something I really want and can be successful at.
Thoughts?
Thank you for the reply
You story is so inspiring. Please talk to your head of department and share your story. Do you advisors know about your struggle and how hard you are working to turn it around. I’m sure it will be an amazing thing for the rest of the students to hear as well. Also can your work experience be used as ‘credit’? You obviously got the ambition and hardwork in you, use it and get in! How bad do you want it?
Thank you very much…I hope admissions counselors will see it this way as well. My work experience can be used to my credit, as it is relevant.
Thank you for the information.
I think you have a compelling story and I do believe you have a shot. You appear to be very driven and hard working despite the struggles you have had. I do think you will find a school that sees your potential. My “Good Luck” above was meant to be very sincere. I wish you all the best. You sound determined to succeed and I think you will.