Addendum question Forum

[applepiecrust]

My GPA trend for six semesters at undergrad so far is:
3.89, 3.75, 3.15, 3.6, 3.6, 3.75

Should I write an addendum for the outlier semester? I had come out to my parents the previous summer, it didn't go well -- they threatened to take me out of school/cut me off. I was under a lot of stress and I was in therapy.
I'm afraid of coming across as whiny/weak by writing an addendum. It's not as if the rest of my grades are outstanding. They're just not as pathetic as that semester.

[kalvano]

It wasn't a gigantic dip. I'd just leave it alone.

[GotYourselfAStewGoin]

I would go ahead and write one; it was an outlier and you had a good reason for it. Keep it short, though.

[overyourhead]

I would go ahead and write one; it was an outlier and you had a good reason for it. Keep it short, though.

Really? That low? I'm genuinely asking. I thought addendum's re: GPA trends were mainly for situations where the applicant suddenly has one bad semester-- say, an A student all of the sudden getting C's and D's on semester, then later going on to continue to get mostly A's. Although 3.15 may be low for the poster, it's hardly a poor one semester GPA overall. Wouldn't writing an addendum addressing this only draw attention to something that objectively speaking isn't all that bad?

I'm just trying to understand this situation better. I guess I'm in the same situation. A's and A-'s every semester of undergrad (with the occasional B), except for the spring semester of my sophomore year where I received straight B's, half of which were B-'s. (I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, have documentation, etc.)

It stands out, but I wasn't planning on mentioning anything because I didn't think AC's viewed B's as bad enough to warrant explanation. So in my situation, I should probably write an addendum addressing this as well? Do you have to say you were suffering from documented MDD or is saying you were suffering from an illness for which you have documentation sufficient?

[WestOfTheRest]

I would go ahead and write one; it was an outlier and you had a good reason for it. Keep it short, though.

Really? That low? I'm genuinely asking. I thought addendum's re: GPA trends were mainly for situations where the applicant suddenly has one bad semester-- say, an A student all of the sudden getting C's and D's on semester, then later going on to continue to get mostly A's. Although 3.15 may be low for the poster, it's hardly a poor one semester GPA overall. Wouldn't writing an addendum addressing this only draw attention to something that objectively speaking isn't all that bad?

I'm just trying to understand this situation better. I guess I'm in the same situation. A's and A-'s every semester of undergrad (with the occasional B), except for the spring semester of my sophomore year where I received straight B's, half of which were B-'s. (I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, have documentation, etc.)

It stands out, but I wasn't planning on mentioning anything because I didn't think AC's viewed B's as bad enough to warrant explanation. So in my situation, I should probably write an addendum addressing this as well? Do you have to say you were suffering from documented MDD or is saying you were suffering from an illness for which you have documentation sufficient?

You're a classic addendum case.

[ahduth]

I had come out to my parents the previous summer, it didn't go well...

Or a classic diversity statement case. I'd write a full blown shebang about it personally, but that's me, I like grandstanding. Anyhow I'd have to think the deans would be interested to hear about it, makes your application richer and more interesting.

[applepiecrust]

I had come out to my parents the previous summer, it didn't go well...

Or a classic diversity statement case. I'd write a full blown shebang about it personally, but that's me, I like grandstanding. Anyhow I'd have to think the deans would be interested to hear about it, makes your application richer and more interesting.

IDK... my PS as it looks now already touches upon it. I really don't want to hit them over the head with the gay thing.

(Besides, my possible DS draft, which would only be for a few schools, will revolve around my LGBT activism. I don't want to give my parents' reaction more attention than it merits anyway :p).

[GotYourselfAStewGoin]

I would go ahead and write one; it was an outlier and you had a good reason for it. Keep it short, though.

Really? That low? I'm genuinely asking. I thought addendum's re: GPA trends were mainly for situations where the applicant suddenly has one bad semester-- say, an A student all of the sudden getting C's and D's on semester, then later going on to continue to get mostly A's. Although 3.15 may be low for the poster, it's hardly a poor one semester GPA overall. Wouldn't writing an addendum addressing this only draw attention to something that objectively speaking isn't all that bad?

I'm just trying to understand this situation better. I guess I'm in the same situation. A's and A-'s every semester of undergrad (with the occasional B), except for the spring semester of my sophomore year where I received straight B's, half of which were B-'s. (I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, have documentation, etc.)

It stands out, but I wasn't planning on mentioning anything because I didn't think AC's viewed B's as bad enough to warrant explanation. So in my situation, I should probably write an addendum addressing this as well? Do you have to say you were suffering from documented MDD or is saying you were suffering from an illness for which you have documentation sufficient?

You should definitely write one.

I was also going to say OP might consider a diversity statement, but it looks like they've covered it in the PS. Just make sure they know about it - you don't want to waste adversity

[capitalacq]

My GPA trend for six semesters at undergrad so far is:
3.89, 3.75, 3.15, 3.6, 3.6, 3.75

Should I write an addendum for the outlier semester? I had come out to my parents the previous summer, it didn't go well -- they threatened to take me out of school/cut me off. I was under a lot of stress and I was in therapy.
I'm afraid of coming across as whiny/weak by writing an addendum. It's not as if the rest of my grades are outstanding. They're just not as pathetic as that semester.

no no no no no no no

the addendum is not going to make a difference other than drawing more attention to that one semester's GPA.

[capitalacq]

I would go ahead and write one; it was an outlier and you had a good reason for it. Keep it short, though.

Really? That low? I'm genuinely asking. I thought addendum's re: GPA trends were mainly for situations where the applicant suddenly has one bad semester-- say, an A student all of the sudden getting C's and D's on semester, then later going on to continue to get mostly A's. Although 3.15 may be low for the poster, it's hardly a poor one semester GPA overall. Wouldn't writing an addendum addressing this only draw attention to something that objectively speaking isn't all that bad?

I'm just trying to understand this situation better. I guess I'm in the same situation. A's and A-'s every semester of undergrad (with the occasional B), except for the spring semester of my sophomore year where I received straight B's, half of which were B-'s. (I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, have documentation, etc.)

It stands out, but I wasn't planning on mentioning anything because I didn't think AC's viewed B's as bad enough to warrant explanation. So in my situation, I should probably write an addendum addressing this as well? Do you have to say you were suffering from documented MDD or is saying you were suffering from an illness for which you have documentation sufficient?

you really shouldn't either. Once again, you'd just be drawing more attention to a weaker semester and showing a lack of good judgment by submitting an addendum for B's