Complete guidance for students from Pakistan and India
Introduction: Low GPA does not mean failure
In countries like Pakistan and India, educational pressure is very high. Many times life challenges, such as health problems, financial difficulties, family responsibilities, or stress, affect students’ grades, and the result is low GPA or CGPA.
When students apply for higher education institutions or scholarships abroad, they often give up on seeing a low GPA. They believe that their application will be rejected at the first stage.
But the reality is that universities don’t just look at GPA. If your personal statement is effective, honest, and a sign of progress, a low GPA can be left behind. This article will teach you how you can intelligently describe a low GP in a personal statement.
Global Perspective of GPA in Pakistan and India
In Pakistan and India, the education system is usually based on percentage marks (60%, 70%), while in foreign countries GPA is given on a scale of 4.0. That’s why sometimes even 70% of marks are converted less than 3.0 GPA.
Because of this conversion, South Asian students are considered unfairly inferior. In such a situation, it is very important in your personal statement to explain how strict your education system was and what were the real reasons for the low GPA.Check your GPA to CGPA conversion with our tool.
When is it necessary to mention your GPA?
Mention of a low GPA is not necessary in every situation. Do so only if:
- Your GPA is well below the required standard (g.: 2.5 when the organization asks for 3.5)
- Your other components (g . GRE, IELTS, SOP) are strong but GPA is low.
- Any particular event (accident, illness, family problem) may have affected the GPA
If the GPA has been constantly averaging and there is no specific reason, it is better not to mention University of California’s official advice on low GPA.
How to define low GPA (without excuses)
Remember: take responsibility, don’t make excuses.
Universities want candidates who recognize their problems, overcome them, and move forward in a positive way.
K. Krey:
- Describe briefly and honestly what happened.
- Tell me how you coped with it.
- Provide evidence of improvement (final semester, project, internship)
What not to do:
- Don’t blame others.
- Don’t describe it emotionally or dramatically.
- Don’t make an apology for the entire article
Easy and effective format of GPA specification
Write your personal statement in 3 steps:
- Recognizing
“Academic performance declined in my second year because [a brief description of the problem]. “
- Background and Reaction
“Even though it affected my CGPA, I took [steps] and after that my grades improved. “
- Positive outlook
“This experience taught me the value of time, self-control and responsibility, which is now part of my personality. “
Highlight your strengths
Immediately after mentioning GPA, you have to mention your qualities that can make up for the lack of GPA:
Educational Improvement
“My grades improved significantly in the last two semesters, especially in core subjects. “
Test Scores
“I scored 325 in GRE which is proof of my current educational standards. “
Projects and Internships
“I did an internship at the XYZ company where I applied the principles of machine learning in real life and a research paper was published. “Learn how GPA affects international scholarships.
Examples of specific conditions in South Asia
“During my third year at The University of Punjab, I had to teach tuitions to support the family financially. This affected the grades of my non-core subjects, but improved significantly in the last year. ”
“In 2019, due to internet shutdown and political situation in Kashmir, my preparation was affected, which had an impact on the exams. Later I secured prominent marks and completed my internship at IISc Bangalore. ”
How to keep the tone of the statement?
Write humbly
“I know that my academic performance has not been high everywhere…”
Confess honestly
“…Some personal issues affected my preparation…”
Positive and look to the future
“…But these experiences made me stronger and I now want to pursue higher education with renewed dedication. “
Where should the GPA be mentioned?
- In the middle of the article
- After performance but before successes
- In a separate “Addendum” if the organization permits
Urdu keywords according to SEO
You must include these keywords in your article so that it appears in a Google search:
- How to describe a low GPA in SOP
- How to get a scholarship with a low CGPA in Pakistan
- How to write personal statements despite low percentage in India
- How to portray low grades in a positive way
Strengthen the point with the help of a recommendation letter
If your professor or senior has seen improvement in you, the recommendation letter written by them will strengthen your story.
For example:
“I saw [the student’s name] improving their educational journey. He is now a dynamic and hardworking student who is serious in research work. “
Result: You are higher than GPA
Low GPA is not a permanent constraint. Your personality, abilities, and your efforts for a better future are more important.
Thousands of Pakistani and Indian students have enrolled in higher institutions and full scholarships despite low GPA – and the key to their success was a strong and honest personal statement.
Your story can be the same — just believe in yourself, speak the truth, and prove that you are a student of learning and progress.