cy213 Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 Hi everyone, sorry for spamming with all these UC Berkeley application questions, but I have another question about the Addendum section. Here is their prompt for this section: If you wish to address any specific issues that have adversely impacted your academic performance and/or any aspect of your application, please use the space below. I have a very low undergrad GPA (2.5), so I was wondering if I should tell them why I have a low GPA. The problem is, I don't have a specific reason why I got such low grades, other than having no direction, being conflicted between two main majors (Chemistry and Math), and taking education for granted. However, after I graduated, I have been working full-time for 2.5 years, took an extension class (which I got an A- in for a field I am interested in getting into), and believe that I have educationally matured. Is this worth talking about in this field? Or does it just sound like a typical college kid who slacked off (which I don't believe I did, but I chose to take challenging classes and was too stubborn to withdraw from classes I knew I was doing poorly in). Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123hardasABC Posted November 25, 2013 Share Posted November 25, 2013 I interpreted that part of the application as a place to address any medical/personal crisis type situation that may have affected your GPA. In general, I personally don't think you should go too in depth as to why you have a bad GPA. It comes off as if you're trying too hard to make excuses for having one. I have a low GPA and also applied to Berkeley. I didn't make excuses for it......except in my case I also got my low GPA at Berkeley. It just didn't feel appropriate. I'm not very hopeful about getting into Cal again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esimanon Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 I think it's fair to address it but not to make excuses, I think you'll be able to tell the difference. Focus on how you've changed, not what caused bad grades in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cy213 Posted November 29, 2013 Author Share Posted November 29, 2013 Thanks guys. Yeah I haven't even included anything about my low GPA on my SOP or PHS, so I figured the Addendum was the most appropriate place to put it. I am going to say that I had no direction at the time and so I wasn't motivated. But now that I have a clearer picture of what I want to do, I have matured and appreciated education. Is that too cheesy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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