Explaining year off from undergrad

[ceazaro]

Hi guys,

Im not really sure if this is the right Place for this, but I'm currently trying to write my SOP but am confused as to whether I should address my year off in my SOP or in an addendum. To explain further: I did a three year undergrad in the UK and during my first two years suffered from 'moderately-severe depression'. My grades suffered and my GPA for both years was the equivalent of a 3.0. My doctor and my professors recommended I take a year out to recover and sort everything out - which I did. I then managed to complete my final year with a GPA equivalent to a 3.6 and with a 4.0 in my undergrad thesis. Should I address this issue in my SOP or in an addendum? Should I mention it at all or should I just mention that I had to take a year out for health issues? Also, should I point out that i feel my grades in my final year, along with my GRE results (163 verbal/155 quant/5 analytical), are more indicative of my abilities (a fact which my LORs are willing to also state)?

Thanks!

[MsDarjeeling]

Mentioning the year off in your SOP makes sense especially because it will come up at the interview stage and there's a noticeable difference in your gpa.  I would keep it simple and say something like "unfortunately I experienced some health problems and it was necessary to take a year off to recover."  Do not go into detail about what your health issues were as that is none of their business.  Focus on the fact that you returned feeling better than ever and finished with much better grades.

[jeffster]

I second MsDarjeeling's advice.  Your health is a private matter; what should count is that you're better now and can illustrate this with your increase in performance.  But don't try to hide it, or avoid it; do it just like she posted.

[acarol]

I think you need to be careful about addressing it in your SOP, as, in my experience, the SOP should avoid mention of any "negative" aspects of your application.  If you can frame the year off as part of your larger narrative toward research / your PhD, then it could work. It would really depend on your wording and framing of it, though. Certainly no need to supply details about your mental health and such. 

 

Imho, this is the kind of issue that would be best addressed by one of your letter writers who a) has unlimited space to write about you, as opposed to your limited SOP space, and b ) can speak positively to how your grades improved, how your recent work is most reflective of your academic potential, how serious and driven you are upon your return -- all from a faculty / supervisory perspective.

Edited August 8, 2013 by acarol