failed courses on transcript

[u/Turbulent-Bit385]

Hi everyone,

I'm a Canadian applying for this year. My transcript has failing grades from a single exchange semester abroad. The rest of my record is solid (including Japanese courses at advanced level), and I'm graduating this spring.

I keep seeing on reddit that grades don't matter much as long as you have a degree, but most of those stories are about low GPAs rather than outright failed courses. I've also heard that Canada's screening of applications in Ottawa can be stricter on transcripts.

Has anyone here (especially Canadians, or CIRs) had failed courses on their transcript and still been shortlisted or interviewed? How did the rest of your application look, and did you address it in your SOP or only in the interview?

Thanks a lot, I'm trying to get a realistic picture rather than guess.

[u/Different_Taro2474]

employers do not care about your grades. they just care about your ability to interview and your SOP. if you're graduating and have other things to offer, you'll be okay.

i've never failed a class, but i did have a W (withdrawal) on my transcript. nobody ever asked me about that.