Optional Essay: GPA Explanation
Please provide any additional insight or information that you have not addressed elsewhere that may be helpful in reviewing your application.
On its face, my GPA of 3.12 is not reflective of my academic capabilities. Fantasizing myself to be Superwoman (and fully accepting responsibility for this delusion of grandeur), I overextended myself with a rigorous curriculum and several extra-curricular activities during my first semester in college. Upon realizing the detrimental impact on my academics while juggling 47 tasks, I streamlined my extracurricular activities and focused on school after transferring to [university]. Through dedication and commitment, I earned mostly A’s and B’s in a top 5 engineering program for the next six semesters, demonstrating my ability to succeed in the classroom. Unfortunately, the second semester of senior year was overwhelming due to an elective course in combinatorics. I enrolled as a way to hone my quantitative skills; instead I struggled with the heavy workload while balancing other coursework. Undeterred, I regrouped and received one of my highest GPA’s to date the following semester.
I believe this same perseverance and commitment to learning has been key to my professional success. For example, I was promoted to Manager within 8 months of joining my current company after senior leadership recognized my propensity to work above and beyond my title. Recognizing my GMAT is below Anderson’s average, yet motivated to hit the ground running, I took online courses through MBAMath to underscore my aptitude (transcripts included in application package). I am confident I will academically succeed at Anderson, as I am driven to excel and motivated to leave a strong entrepreneurial legacy as an alumna.