Graduate application question?

Question

I am applying for a graduate school and completing its online application.
I completed the research interest part and also wrote the statement of research interest, where I explained about the related project that I have worked on during my undergraduate studies. I also explained my work experience in this field and what I learned in my work experience.

But due to the difficult living situation where I studied, my GPA is almost 2.9 and their minimum requirements is having GPA of 3.

Although they have mentioned that exceptional cases are also accepted, if the applicant has a significant work experience in the related area to this field and I think I have that experience in both my undergraduate project and my work.

But I don't know how can I explain and what I should explain in this part?

Nowhere in the online application asks about the GPA or grades at this level of online application but later I should send them the grades.

Comment part says "If you have any additional comments that may assist the Graduate Committee in adjudicating your application, provide them below"

Please help me to write it properly as I have both strong and week points together.

Answer 1

You need to address this in the "Additional Comments" portion. Think carefully about how you address this issue. If you improved while in school -- or had much better grades in your major, point this out and let them know why those better grades are a better indication of how you will do in graduate school.

I had a horrible Freshman year -- but had two things going for me. My grades improved every single semester that I was in school, and I had excellent grades in my major. My overall GPA was a bit higher than yours -- but the problem was similar. By pointing out the trend in grades and my grades in my major, I was able to get into top PhD programs.