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I am planning on applying to a Masters program in classical archaeology.

BUT I have a B average in Greek and Latin combined. However, I feel confident in my abilities and that because I had to work harder to firmly understand the languages that I will be a better teacher and be able to relate better to my future students.

What is a positive and effective way to address that in my letter?

Note: Unlike this question about overcoming a poor academic record in general, this question is about overcoming a specific deficiency in the introductory coursework that is considered essential for this area of study.

(The rest of my profile is as follows: I had one really bad semester when I transferred (all gen ed classes) and it totally screwed up my GPA. Since that bad semester I have built good professional relationships with faculty, done excellent work in classics, history and archaeology classes, presented several papers and did some independent studies (including one abroad on an archaeological field school). I have a clear vision of what I want to do for my MA thesis and beyond.)

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Megan E
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  • possible duplicate of How do you get a bad transcript past Ph.D. admissions? – earthling Dec 25 '14 at 06:22
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    I disagree with the close votes; this question is about overcoming a specific, relevant deficiency, not a general poor record (like the linked question). I've edited the question to highlight the difference. – ff524 Dec 25 '14 at 07:12
  • @ff524 The OP of the question http://academia.stackexchange.com/q/21800/546 had low major GPA and you mark it duplicate of the question linked by earthling's comment. – Nobody Dec 25 '14 at 07:30
  • @scaaahu To me, that question reads more as asking for general advice in overcoming bad grades, while this reads more as overcoming a specific deficiency in a necessary prerequisite. If anything, I think it's closer in spirit to this question or this question. Of course, this is all very subjective. – ff524 Dec 25 '14 at 07:44
  • To be clear: I think the general advice in How do you get a bad transcript past Ph.D. admissions? is great, and I don't want to see all that reiterated here. But most of that is about how to become a more attractive admissions candidate overall. I just think it's possible to give an answer to the much more focused question here, of what to write in an application to address a very specific deficiency in background. – ff524 Dec 25 '14 at 08:05
  • Since I voted to close, I will not provide answer. Only some opinions. I think you can think about publishing papers in areas using those lanuages. This will show that you can do research in them even you have so-so grades in those languages. – Nobody Dec 25 '14 at 08:34

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As you stated a lot has changed since those unlucky days and you've achieved so many successes since then. IMO, write that you do not believe that the grade is a real indicator of your current status and as a proof of your claim you can reference your research and papers if it is available online.

Note: In case the professor of your archeology class would give you a recommendation letter it would be so valuable.

Alireza
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