Help - Explaining gap in undergrad due to death in family

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I’m in the process of applying to graduate school and need to explain a lost semester due to a death in the family. </p>

<p>I tried to be as objective/matter of fact as possible and don’t want to come across as expecting sympathy at the same time, I want to convey that I had little choice but to forfeit my coursework that semester. Is the below an acceptable explanation:</p>

<p>The Admissions committee will note a gap on my transcript for ( Semester/year). At the time, I was studying abroad had to return home suddenly toward the end of the
semester due to my brother’s unexpected death. That semester, I was taking all of my classes
in the (host country’s system) and as result of logistics, I was unable to return to (<strong><em>) in time to complete my final exams and it was not possible to salvage the semester. As such, I did not receive credit for any of my courses that semester. I was still able to graduate with my class
by changing my intended second major in (</em></strong><em>) to a minor and taking several
courses in the Summer of (</em>____) to complete the remaining credit requirements.</p>

2

<p>That’s a good draft, but try to keep it concise. A shortened version:</p>

<p>The Admissions committee will note a gap on my transcript for ( Semester/year). At the time, I was studying abroad and had to return home suddenly due to my brother’s unexpected death. I was unable to return to (<strong><em>) in time to complete my final exams and I did not receive credit for any of my courses that semester. I was still able to graduate with my class by changing my intended second major in (</em></strong><em>) to a minor and taking several courses in the Summer of (</em>____) to complete the remaining credit requirements.</p>