How to Explain BTech Backlogs While Applying for MS in Abroad
Decided to study abroad, but are your backlogs holding you back? It’s quite a common scenario, and trust us, you’re not completely doomed. If you’ve got a personal reason, such as health or family responsibilities, that caused you to skip an exam, or you just couldn’t measure up to that in results, backlogs don’t necessarily imply you’re bad in academics. There may be a lot of reasons, and the only way to justify them is to be upfront and honest.
In general, there are three stages that will require a clear reason as to why your undergraduate academic performance is low; your university statement of purpose, your university admissions interview, and your student visa interview. So, let’s get this done, one by one, and see if you can spin the backlogs to your advantage.
The Statement of Purpose
The first step here is to choose whether or not you want to talk about your backlogs in your SOP. Ask yourself if including an explanation strengthens or weakens your application? And if you don’t have something positive to talk about your backlogs, the safest course of action will be to omit certain details and concentrate on other aspects.
However, if you believe that your backlogs have a legitimate reason to paint you in a better light, by all way, mention them in your SOP.
Speak about why you have them, and why you have them in such specific subjects. Have you missed an exam? Haven’t you had a teacher for a subject? Did you do your best, but you wouldn’t be interested in the subject? A tale that expresses your determination, perseverance, and hard work will carry more importance than a certificate that says you haven’t cleared a few subjects.
The College and Visa Interview
Unlike the SOP, if you’re asked about your backlogs in one of your interviews, you’re not going to be able to stop it. So, if you’ve decided to stop talking about them in the statement, know that you’re still going to need a proper reason to give in the interviews. Now the question is, how are you going to convince your interviewers that your backlogs don’t define you?
· Honesty is the best policy
If you have backlogs, let them know. They already have your scorecards, and even if they don’t, all you need is an email to your university. So, refusing them is just working against you. Instead, if you can talk positively about your backlogs, you might have a chance to turn things around. You may say that you tried your hardest, but you couldn’t clear them, and you tried as well several times. Show evidence of the steps you have taken to mend them, whether in the form of repeated classes, alternative courses, or other events.
· Show that you are serious about academics
Backlogs mean one thing; you didn’t perform academically on a specific subject. Unfortunately, this can give you the impression that you’re not serious about your studies. And it’s your responsibility to prove them wrong. One way you can do this is to get excellent scores in tests like GMAT, GRE, or IELTS.
· Does it relate to your major?
Another reason you could use is the classic, “I couldn’t find any interest in the subject, even though I was really trying hard.”
If you’re looking to apply for a major in computer science and have great degrees in your programming classes, you’re good to go. Having backlogs in electrical or mechanical Engineering subjects doesn’t do any harm to you unless you’re searching for a specialty in your CS major. So do your homework in advance on the subjects that your chosen university offers and demonstrate to them how your backlog will not impact your future results. But what if your backlog is related to your major?
· Projects and Training
What has been done, is done! It’s not the best idea to go back to college and spend more years focusing on your subjects. Instead, you may concentrate on improving practical skills in your area of interest through projects or external training. There is typically a large difference between when you apply your application and when you enter the college, so use this time wisely and concentrate on building your reputation.
· Exceptional Extracurriculars
Universities abroad don’t just look at your grades, they’re focusing on your whole profile. This covers the extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Today’s world needs leaders and creative thinkers, so if your term in the student government or your role in the debate club has helped you pick up these skills, be sure to speak about them. Try to convince the panel that you are a good candidate and that you can bring value to the university.
Backlogs are not the end of the world, and universities know that too. That’s why they’re considering applications instead of just refusing them. In addition, there are always ways you can turn them into a positive sound, particularly in your SOPs.
