This thread Unfortunately, many grad students encounter reviewers who penalize them for less than perfect undergrad grades, test scores, etc - it can lead to biases that impact funding decisions or grad school admissions, *especially* for first-gen and URM students. /1 https://twitter.com/Meliseymo/status/1252979879345295362

My story: I failed out of my first year of university in 2010. I didn't know what to expect - I was the first in my family to go to college - and I also dealt with severe depression for most of the year. I went from high school valedictorian to drop-out in just 10 months. /2

Ultimately, I went back to school, and I graduated in 2015 with straight As. I received straight As in all my graduate courses. Sounds good, right? Well, I *still* get reviewers who comment on those freshman year grades. I wonder - how long will those grades haunt me for? /3

According to one reviewer for my CIHR doctoral award application in 2018, my overall record was "weak" - they cited the fact that I was asked to withdraw from my first degree. They gave me low scores on every area of my application - publications, proposal, recommendations... /4

The other reviewer gave me high scores (well above historical funding cut-offs). CIHR policy mandates bringing in a third reviewer when scores are discrepant - reviewer 3 also gave me high scores. However, those scores were averaged with the low score, tanking my application. /5

I know that those grades from ten years ago aren't a reflection of my abilities or my potential to excel in a research environment. I'm proud of how I was able to turn things around and succeed after failure. But how does one convince funding agencies and reviewers of that? /6

I'm tired of having to submit those grades to funders every year. I'm tired of having to wait nine months to figure out if my livelihood depends on whether or not reviewers choose to penalize me for failing out my business degree ten years ago. /7

At the very least, I think it is clear that something's gotta give. I know that a high GPA or a high GRE/MCAT/whatever score doesn't come easy. But it isn't a perfect marker of research potential, nor does it tell the full story. /end

To add - I can't end without acknowledging my privilege. I got into grad school. I have a supportive supervisor. I'm financially secure. Many aren't as lucky - they deserve a system that celebrates their talents and doesn't penalize the things that are often out of their control.