"Extenuating Circumstances"

[gradstudent84]

There is a section in my application that lets applicants explain extenuating circumstances due to a bad grade.

A little more than a year ago, I received a C in one class (All of other classes I've received A's and a couple of B+s) because I completely bombed the final. I was also a full time high school teacher during this time period, and school begins in August, and the final exam was inconveniently scheduled around the same time. Due to staff meetings, assessment preparations, orientations, etc I really couldn't invest enough time to study for the final exam, also because my place of employment and the school I attended are really far away from each other.

Would it be wise to explain this so that I can somehow "justify" my C grade? I'm typing it up at the moment and I can't help but feel that I am making excuses for myself. What I'm also wondering is, even though it's not exactly a stellar grade, it's not like I failed the class either, so is it even worth discussing

[AKJen]

In my opinion, it's not worth addressing at all. It's one C in a group of very good grades and almost everyone has one bad semester. I think you were onto it when you mentioned it comes across as making excuses for yourself. Too much time spent on the negative versus talking about your specific research idea and enthusiasm/preparation/suitability is always a bad thing. If it was a bunch of Cs, or a downward trend instead of one grade, that may be something to explain.

[balderdash]

I definitely agree that there's no real need to explain one C when all of your grades have been good.

Also, if I were reading the application, it would definitely seem to me like you're making excuses. I don't mean to be unfair (as I don't think I'd have managed to scrape a C under such circumstances), but it does seem as though you simply overloaded yourself... which is understandable but still essentially your error. Trying to say that this was beyond your control could throw up red flags.

So I think it's best if you simply leave it be. Good luck.

[ScreamingHairyArmadillo]

If the C class was one in your field, I think you may be better off explaining the grade. Otherwise, I'd leave it alone.

[gradstudent84]

Thank you for your replies everyone. I decided not to address it. It IS a course that is relevant to my field of study, but I have a feeling I might end up shooting myself in the foot if I discuss it rather than highlight my good qualities.