Cndngirl118 Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Hi guys, I have a question about mentioning a bad grade in your personal essay. I got a C- the first time I took organic chemistry and when I re-took it I got an A+. That was during my first few years of school and I wasn't even sure about medicine back than, so I think I didn't try as hard as I could have. Do I need to mention anything about the C- in my essay? That is the only class I have done bad in. Thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 I don't know that there is any point, they will know of this grade anyhow - unless there was a special reason, 'didn't try as hard as I could have does not count'. So, I would accentuate the positive and leave the negative alone! BTW, I am not familiar with the UBC system, I am not applying there, but don't (most) med schools use the first grade and ignore the retake result? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cndngirl118 Posted August 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Yes, they do take the first grade into the pre-req average...and I know it will bring that average down. I'm just hoping the A+ says something as well. But thanks for your reply. I didn't see any real reason of putting it in my statement because it was just one class...and it wasn't a whole semester I did bad in or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mei_Mei_girl Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Yes, they do take the first grade into the pre-req average...and I know it will bring that average down. I'm just hoping the A+ says something as well. But thanks for your reply. I didn't see any real reason of putting it in my statement because it was just one class...and it wasn't a whole semester I did bad in or anything. I don't think you should mention this in your personal essay ....they will see the grade and it is academic related...use the essay to get them to know YOU as a person and really want you so much that one grade won't really make much of a difference....if one quality you want to mention is persistence, perhaps you could mention that after a first poor attempt, you did not give up and persisted to an A+, but again, the essay is not a place to try explaining why your grades were poor or whatever ---focus on personal qualities like persistance!!!! good luck!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Yes, they do take the first grade into the pre-req average...and I know it will bring that average down. I'm just hoping the A+ says something as well. But thanks for your reply. I didn't see any real reason of putting it in my statement because it was just one class...and it wasn't a whole semester I did bad in or anything. Persistence is a good approach that speaks volumes. Generally, an Essay should have a theme and yous might be to improve yourself so that you can be prepared to help others as a physician. It is true that we do, should and can learn more from our failures than our successes. Being able to successfully overcome challenges, if we don't succedd at first, we try, try again. Mei Mei girl knows more than us both as she has already risen to the next level. I have just prepared my 1,000 word essay for U/T with kind input from posters here and I devoted about 100 hours with at least 30 drafts. I am not apply to UBC and would be happy to help if I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cndngirl118 Posted August 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thank you for your replies. I really appreciate the feedback! I'm working on my personal statement right now. Is it a good idea to pick 3/4 things in my life that I feel have a lot of significance and write about them and what I have learned from those experiences etc? It's proably better to develop a common theme between the few experiences instead of listing down and describing many experiences right? Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thank you for your replies. I really appreciate the feedback! I'm working on my personal statement right now. Is it a good idea to pick 3/4 things in my life that I feel have a lot of significance and write about them and what I have learned from those experiences etc? It's proably better to develop a common theme between the few experiences instead of listing down and describing many experiences right? Yes. Discuss these experiences in depth in terms of what you learned and how you grew. In my essay, I never mention the laundry list of attributes they are looking for, it is not only self-serving, it is counterproductive b/c these qualities should be readily apparent from your narrative. I have selected carefully the experiences I used b/c of word limitations. Also, you want to catch the attention of the reader to separate you from the crowd and to make them want to meet you. So, I created a common thread thruout the essay that encompassed my theme, experiences, growth and development, and my academics, all of which led quite naturally to medicine. Even my work, ECs, volunteering and awards show responsible choices, incl my piano and national awards in ballet, etc. The conclusion is also important. Ain't easy for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cndngirl118 Posted August 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks for the feedback! I've revised mine so many times...I hope this latest one stays! lol Good luck with yours! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
future_doc Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 If there is anybody with experience who is not competing with you, show it for feedback that you can evaluate. Even your doc, a prof, anybody whose opinion you value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cndngirl118 Posted August 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Thanks. Yeah, that's a really good idea. I have friends/family who I will definitely show it to. I wanted to show it to a prof of mine...who is amazing at editing, but I don't think I'm giving him enough time to edit it since it's due so soon. But I guess I'll see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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