Low undergrad GPA and SOP

[Wildfox92]

Did anyone have to explain a low undergrad GPA in their statement of purpose? I did a post-bachelor program and my GPA for that is really high, but I'm freaking out because my undergrad from 4 years ago in a different field is still haunting me. How did you go about mentioning that in your essay? I'm worried that anything I say will just sound like I'm making excuses, even though I do have legitimate reasons and circumstances for the low grades in the past. Any help is appreciated!

[imunster]

I didn't have a super low GPA to explain but it was very subpar when compared to my postbacc GPA. I didn't address that issue directly but I did draw on how my undergrad major in which I obtained a low GPA (linguistics) helped strengthen me as an applicant and as a future SLP. Just try to turn your negative into a positive. Talk about how you rose from the ashes and used that to make you a more prepared clinician because you're able to overcome adversity. 

[Casual_Bongos]

I had a 2.7 undergrad GPA that I had to explain in an SOP for grad school. I wrote a paragraph that basically said "look, I was a screw up back then but I've mended my ways and here's what I've accomplished since I got my bachelors." (in fancier language, of course) and then spent the rest of the SOP detailing all the work experience I've gained and really played up the professional awards or achievements I had gotten while working as a professional.

I also studied like crazy to get good GRE scores to show that I had corrected my previous slacker behavior.

It worked and I got into a grad school that claims it doesn't even look at people with less than a 3.0 and regularly brags that the average accepted student is a 3.8 GPA.

You're applying to something different than I did but I say just be brief and honest with them about the low gpa and address what you've done to "grow up" or make sure that previous problems that plagued you during your undergrad won't hurt you in their program. They've been around long enough to know how things can be. Worst case they turn you down and you're back to where you are now.

Edited October 9, 2017 by Casual_Bongos
used an incorrect word

[SLPsingballs]

Hi, so I didn't do a post-bacc program and my undergrad was in CSD, but I had a very low cumulative GPA caused by school grades from about ten+ years ago.  However, I had a 4.0 in all my CSD classes.  Basically, my cumulative GPA was about a 3.03 when I applied to schools last year, my last 60 units GPA was a 3.96, and my CSD GPA was 4.0.  I was so scared of applying to schools and having them look at my cumulative GPA and not my CSD GPA.  In the end, I was accepted to 4 schools, and waitlisted at a few schools too.  

My suggestion for you is to apply to programs that look at the last 60 units and ones that parallel your interests.  Mention your previous grades in your SOP if you feel it is warranted, but gloss over them quickly and bring it around to how much you have grown and it has helped you to be an amazing student/clinician now.  Try to get a good score on the GRE, if you have not already, and just focus on how far you've come.  Good luck!!   

[2020slp]

Everyone's advice is great! I would also suggest not dwelling on it too much if you are going to mention it...which even I'm hesitant about because I personally think that mentioning it may bring more light to it. But if you wanted to include a sentence or something that may make you feel better to sort of explain yourself....of course, directly followed by how you have learned/what you've gained since then. Good luck!