SOP: Should I explain a D in my transcript?

[Freelanzer]

Hi All,

 

I am working on my SOP for my grad school and really struggling on whether I should explain a D in my sophomore year. Here is my story. Honestly, I did OK in that course(The course is a math course. It's a required courses but not really relevant to my major, ECE). However, my teammate submitted others' homework and claimed to be his. Since I was in the group, the professor decided me to be guilty. He told me that the record will remain University's archive but no one will disclose it. Now I am working on my grad application and I am worrying about this. Should I be honest and expose this experience or just skip it in my SOP? Any help is appreciated.

Edited October 8, 2013 by Freelanzer

[Lisa44201]

Skip it. From an outsider's perspective, how many other people were in that group? And the prof decided you were guilty? Doesn't sound good. Let it go.

[Freelanzer]

@Lisa44201, Thank you for your reply. Actually there were only two people in the group, me and my classmate. That semester was a disaster for me. I was able to catch up in the following semesters though. Will the committee weigh my junior year and senior year more than the first two years?

[Lisa44201]

That will vary by program; for the most part, I believe the answer is yes. Ace the rest of your classes, keep your cumulative GPA up, and prove that it was a fluke. Your SOP should focus on why you are a good fit for a specific person's lab.