Advice on GPA Addendum

annaemurphy279

Hello everyone,

Because my CAS GPA (3.12) is so different from my GPA from my university (3.69), I will be needing to attach an addendum. The culprit behind this difference are my grades from community college. Putting it bluntly, I was still very much a child and I had not yet learned how to be a proper student, and although I had retaken the GPA sinking classes with my worst grades in community college, it still looks dreadful on my transcript. My grades from the university I later transferred to are very good and speak for themselves. and I never even got a C!

I'm wondering if anybody else has a similar dynamic going on, and what's the best approach this on the addendum. I don't want it to sound like a list of excuses, but neither of my parents went to college and I didn't even learn what a GPA was until I was placed on Academic Warning, I was forced to move out at 18 and worked, and as I mentioned before, it took me some time before I caught my rhythm.

gabes900-1

I am in a similar boat (on the grades part of your post). I went to school, didn't have responsibility or my priorities straight, failed a bunch of classes the first two years and got academic suspension. Reasons? I was just immature. I just didn't care about school or my life for those two years. I ended up getting kicked out for a semester and then turning my life around. I got straight As while taking the maximum amount of credits each semester until I graduated after that. It was just a part of me. I am either an all in or all out person. There is not in-between.

I think it is best to be simple and blunt about your grades. Make it short and sweet and just state the facts. But, I am also not an advisor or an admission specialist, so take my advice with a grain of salt. My intuition just tells me though that it would be best to keep it short and descriptive.

If you're concerned about it, I would consult with an admission specialist. But hope my 2 cents helped.

sarakimmel

I would say exactly that. Owning up to your failings/shortcomings and what you did to fix them, along with the numbers to back it up is exactly what your addendum should indicate. Keep it short, sweet and just about the facts. Focus on your upward trajectory, since you worked while in school, be sure to mention that as well as it shows maturity and an ability to maintain balance.

annaemurphy279

Thanks for the advice guys!

gabes900-1

You're welcome! I hope it goes well. Thanks for sharing