Medical Reasons for Low GPA Explanation

[monkey98]

Hi! Not sure if I should post at the right topic but here we go! I am applying to MPP and a few business schools. I have a relatively low GPA (3.57 cumulative and ~3.0 major) with a few B-, one C+, one C- and one D-. The C- and D- were from my first semester sophomore year when I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis because of a major sport injury (I used to do risky sports and caused post-traumatic osteoarthritis). The worst thing is the D- was because of a academic plagiarism, due to I accidentally submitted my initial draft with not much citations and references. (I appealed but the committee insisted that was plagiarism, although I submitted the right draft immediately after I found out). My sophomore year was full of body pain, depression and sleeping disorder.

So my question is whether I should explain this in my application - I have my MRI results and blood test and doctor notes and everything. Just wondering will the explanation can make things worse. I do not want the committee think the osteoarthritis will affect my ability. Appreciate any advice!

Edited November 3, 2019 by monkey98