Which topic is stronger? Forum

[DearCan]

Hi all! New to TLS and looking forward to contributing to the community.

Introductions aside, I'm having an issue deciding my PS topic (shocking, I know). I've done several outlines over the last month for various possible topics but most just didn't flesh out. Right now I've got two options on the table:

1) Write about my managerial work experience in college and after college. I worked during all of undergrad and I'm currently two years out, so I feel my WE could be a strong topic if I discuss leadership roles, work ethic, etc.

2) Write about a specific experience I had with a course in college. I took an advanced logic and philosophy course without a symbolic logic prerequisite. Even though it wasn't required for the course, the professor advised those who had not taken symbolic logic to drop his class. Roughly 15/45 students stuck with it, myself included, and I managed to finish third in the class.

Considerations: Strong resume, UGPA lower than most LS medians.

Which topic should I choose?? It's possible there's one that's obviously stronger than the other, but honestly I've been looking at these outlines for far too long...

[DearCan]

Oh come on guys, consider it a poll. 1 or 2.

[Pleasye]

I would say 1.

2 seems...I don't know, not like the right thing to talk about.

But, it all depends on how you write it.

[DearCan]

I would say 1.

2 seems...I don't know, not like the right thing to talk about.

But, it all depends on how you write it.

Yeah it's a bit tricky. The reason I'm even considering it is to address that my UGPA isn't indicative of my capabilities, without coming right out and saying it.

[paratactical]

Neither idea is particularly wow, so it will all come down to how you write it.

It might be good to write both of the essays. Maybe in trying to draft them, you'll come up with a third, better idea.

[homestyle28]

1.

But I'd say drill down on a particular experience or story, then discuss how it demonstrates your attributes: I.e. "The day Bob stormed into my office half drunk on home made wine was the day I realized how important character and leadership is in the workplace" or some such thing.

[Kchuck]

Yeah it's a bit tricky. The reason I'm even considering it is to address that my UGPA isn't indicative of my capabilities, without coming right out and saying it.

That doesn't sound like the best of ideas to me. The Personal Statement isn't the place to come out and make underhanded excuses. I think the first topic gives you plenty of opportunity to show your proven successes and positive qualities.

[DearCan]

Neither idea is particularly wow, so it will all come down to how you write it.

It might be good to write both of the essays. Maybe in trying to draft them, you'll come up with a third, better idea.

I had the same thought.

[DearCan]

Yeah it's a bit tricky. The reason I'm even considering it is to address that my UGPA isn't indicative of my capabilities, without coming right out and saying it.

That doesn't sound like the best of ideas to me. The Personal Statement isn't the place to come out and make underhanded excuses. I think the first topic gives you plenty of opportunity to show your proven successes and positive qualities.

Yikes, I certainly don't want to come off as trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Any suggestions on how to effectively address UGPA shortcomings?

[paratactical]

Yeah it's a bit tricky. The reason I'm even considering it is to address that my UGPA isn't indicative of my capabilities, without coming right out and saying it.

That doesn't sound like the best of ideas to me. The Personal Statement isn't the place to come out and make underhanded excuses. I think the first topic gives you plenty of opportunity to show your proven successes and positive qualities.

Yikes, I certainly don't want to come off as trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. Any suggestions on how to effectively address UGPA shortcomings?

The general consensus here is to write a GPA addendum, provided that you can keep it short and simple and have a legit reason beyond "I fucked off during fresh and soph years" (ie death in the family, you had cancer, etc)