Addressing failing grades?

[Eme19]

Should you explain failing grades and if so how to do it without sounding whiny or making excuses? There is one specific school that asks for applicants to address any failing grades, probation etc. So I'll do it for that but how about the rest that don't ask? Basically I fell into depression junior year and failed 2 classes that had attendance policies. It was a death in the family but I don't want to "cheapen" it for lack of a better word by making it into a sob story for some adcoms.

[LJK]

I read somewhere that not explaining something that is obviously an issue such as failing grades can be a tipping point to the rejection pile for some adcom members. You don't have to 'cheapen' your depression or write a sop story. Always try to turn apparent weaknesses into strengths where you can. I would put in a sentence or two, something along the lines of:

Despite a bout of depression junior year due to a personal tragedy, I was still able to (whatever you did manage to accomplish at that time, did you have 2 or 3 classes that you passed that semester? Did you strategically focus on your major classes?) and was able to rebound to get (average grades or senior GPA here) my senior year, participate in research and write a thesis (or whatever it is that you did).

You overcame a personal struggle, pointing that out isn't shameful or cheap in my opinion. I don't think a long drawn out story is needed, just a nod at the obvious 'blemish' on your transcript without apology, just facts. Coming back from that, not having let yourself get completely derailed shows fortitude and dedication, things that profs want in potential grad students.