- Posts: 1
- Joined: Oct 03, 2017
- Tue Oct 03, 2017 4:47 pm
#40257
Hello,
Writing with a question on the course work/GPA addendum and impact on applying to top schools. My GPA is very high—3.8 overall, 4.0 in major from an Ivy League school—but I graduated with the minimum required course credits and there were two semesters where I completed one less course than the typical course load. I also took a medical leave partway through college (and it's very clear that the reduced course loads are related to it) and have a very legitimate explanation as to what happened and it's clear that everything is resolved now (it's been six years since I returned to college after the medical leave). I've also been out of school for more than four years and I have very solid professional experience, strong letters of recommendation from supervisors, etc. that demonstrate the strength of my candidacy on multiple levels. I am going to write an addendum and my personal statement will focus on fleshing out this story, but my question is, how much will a somewhat reduced course load—even if there is a very real explanation—impact my admissions prospects to top 14/top 20 schools? For further context, I believe this will be the weakest piece of my application by far.
Thank you!!
Writing with a question on the course work/GPA addendum and impact on applying to top schools. My GPA is very high—3.8 overall, 4.0 in major from an Ivy League school—but I graduated with the minimum required course credits and there were two semesters where I completed one less course than the typical course load. I also took a medical leave partway through college (and it's very clear that the reduced course loads are related to it) and have a very legitimate explanation as to what happened and it's clear that everything is resolved now (it's been six years since I returned to college after the medical leave). I've also been out of school for more than four years and I have very solid professional experience, strong letters of recommendation from supervisors, etc. that demonstrate the strength of my candidacy on multiple levels. I am going to write an addendum and my personal statement will focus on fleshing out this story, but my question is, how much will a somewhat reduced course load—even if there is a very real explanation—impact my admissions prospects to top 14/top 20 schools? For further context, I believe this will be the weakest piece of my application by far.
Thank you!!
