Please take a quick glance at my GPA addendum... Forum

[NomNom]

Removed - don't need to review now but I appreciate the help from all.

[lats19nys]

I am taking out the personal issues (well, just because) but I wanted this to be short and sweet. Thanks.

On November 18, 1999, the Texas A&M Bonfire collapsed killing 12 of my fellow students. It was a very difficult and disturbing time on our campus and for me personally. Because I was dealing with this tragedy in addition to [removed for personal reasons - discussed in personal statement so didnt go into a lot of detail here], I withdrew from my Spring 1999 classes. However, instead of leaving school entirely I enrolled in summer school courses immediately after that semester and continued my degree plan. Although my overall GPA is lower, I still graduated with a X.X GPA in both my major and minor courses.

Despite my academic struggles over a decade ago, I believe my professional career is more indicative of the kind of success I am capable of as an adult. I request that the admissions committee please consider these circumstances when coming to a decision. I thank you for your time and consideration.

? aside from being a student there at the time of the incident, do you have any personal connection? If you don't, I would seriously not use this as an addendum.

[NomNom]

Don't want to go into the details on here, but it affected me personally - I witnessed things I had never seen before. I did in fact withdrawal from my classes the next semester - so that is what I am trying to explain. I can just use the larger issue I used in my personal statement, but I don't want to sound redundant.

Will I need to explain the semester I withdrew classes somewhere? I was still enrolled, so I didn't withdraw from the university - I started back up right away in the summer.

[maximator]

Just to double check, have you actually had your transcript processed and confirmed that these were punitive withdrawals?

[NomNom]

They weren't punitive withdrawals.

But I was under the impression I had to explain withdrawals of any type - if I don't, then I can just leave this alone I suppose and just submit my personal statement.

It has been over ten years since I have been in college so I don't know how much a GPA addendum is really needed. My major gpa and minor gpa combined were half a point higher than my overall GPA, so I feel like that is worth mentioning...but that's all entirely in my mind. I've had major work experience and a thriving career since then.

[maximator]

Okay - the reason I ask is that it seems like you are kind of trying to explain away a poor GPA (you reference academic struggles, a lower overall GPA etc.) by referencing something that didn't actually affect your GPA (the non-punitive withdrawals). You should explain why you have withdrawals on your transcript, but to me, this reads like someone trying to explain a low GPA.

[NomNom]

maximator,

EXCELLENT point. You are right. Okay, that makes sense. I will only use this if I need to explain the withdrawal, otherwise I don't see a need. Thanks!