Addendum: should I write one for that one semester? Forum

[kikko89]

My first semester GPA was 2.5, but every semester after that was 4.0, averaging me out to a 3.75 cumulative GPA.

Is this worth addressing in a short addendum? On the one hand, this will be laid out in my academic summary. On the other hand, what if they gloss over this detail?

[malleus discentium]

Why was it a 2.5?

[kikko89]

Why was it a 2.5?

Nothing really legit. I was working a full-time job and let my studies slip up....

[SPerez]

Just speaking for me personally, applicants who don't explain stuff like this is one of my biggest pet peeves. I don't know how quickly other people review files, but I promise there is almost no way I would miss something like that. It wouldn't be enough to change the decision most likely, but I would still be wondering WTH happened that semester. (I'd be a little more suspect if it was a final semester instead of a first semester.)

I would do a short addendum saying basically what you stated above. Unless there's more to it, probably wouldn't have to be longer than a few paragraphs.

Dean Perez