What to do about failed classes while studying abroad?

[shiralta]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of a complicated question!

 

I’m applying to humanities and social sciences programs focused on eastern european studies. For my undergrad, I studied international relations at one of the top universities in Canada (top 40 in global rankings), have a good average (we use a 4.33 scale - my gpa for my last 2 years is 3.93/4.33 which I believe is around 3.7/4?), completed an undergrad thesis (very relevant to the programs) which I presented at a conference at my university, have had several very relevant work experiences in research, think tanks, NGOs, etc.

There’s just one problem I’m concerned about: I studied abroad in Europe for a year. In my first semester, I took classes in English and everything went great, I got good grades and a Diploma of European Studies. However, in my second semester we were required to take courses in the local language. I thought it wasn’t a big deal and wanted a bit of a challenge anyway. I ended up failing 3/6 of the courses I took in the second semester. My home university didn’t have grades transfer back to my regular transcript. Anything I failed simply wouldn’t show up on my transcript so I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal—a mistake, I know!

Now, I’m not sure what to do about sending in transcripts (only one school I’m applying to specifically states to send all transcripts from all schools attended but they only calculate GPA based on the main institution). I know that mentioning my time studying abroad in Europe would most likely benefit my application since some of the programs focus on Eastern Europe. However, I’m worried that sending in a transcript with 3 failed courses will hurt my chances (even though technically I passed 12/15 total course I took! Haha). I have the first semester transcript with good grades (passed 9/9 classes) and a Diploma of European Studies, and a separate second semester transcript that shows I failed 3/6 classes (and therefore didn't get credit)- though they were all in the local language. I’ve never got below a B in a class, let alone failed anything before in my life..so I’m not sure what to do or if this transcript even matters.

 

My thinking right now is:

1. Mention that I studied abroad for a year in Europe and received a Diploma of European Studies but don’t send in a transcript from that school and hope that they don’t ask.
2. Mention that I studied abroad for a year in Europe and received a Diploma of European Studies, but only send in a transcript for my first semester - but I don’t want this to end up hurting me later if they think I was hiding something.
3. Don’t mention my year abroad at all - despite the fact I think it’d be beneficial for my application.
4. Mention that I studied abroad for a year in Europe and include my transcript but explain the situation in my SOP — but I’m worried this would bring unneeded attention to that transcript that they may have not considered it that much anyway.

 

Help please!!

[Sigaba]

Just now, shiralta said:

My thinking right now is:

1. Mention that I studied abroad for a year in Europe and received a Diploma of European Studies but don’t send in a transcript from that school and hope that they don’t ask.
2. Mention that I studied abroad for a year in Europe and received a Diploma of European Studies, but only send in a transcript for my first semester - but I don’t want this to end up hurting me later if they think I was hiding something.
3. Don’t mention my year abroad at all - despite the fact I think it’d be beneficial for my application.
4. Mention that I studied abroad for a year in Europe and include my transcript but explain the situation in my SOP — but I’m worried this would bring unneeded attention to that transcript that they may have not considered it that much anyway.

Help please!!

Based upon your OP, options 1 and 2, if not also option 3, may put you at risk for a rescinded offer of admission. (I would count on programs doing their due diligence given the recent scandals.)

For the fourth option, if you cast about using the advanced search function, you may find previous threads centered around addressing sub par grades in one's SOP. (IRRC, the short answer is that there's general agreement that one should not dwell on it too long in one's SOP, one should take responsibility/not make excuses, and one should mention lessons learned, but there's no consensus on best practices based upon comments from graduate students who encountered similar challenges.)