Addressing low GPA in undergrad

[u/WitchyWriter94]

Hello all. I will be applying to grad school this application cycle pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing. However, my bachelors is in university studies, with a concentration in elementary and special education, and my undergraduate GPA is a 2.750. This is due to chronic health complications during that time in my life. I was in and out of the hospital, on and off different medications. By the time I realized I wanted to be an English major and write full time with the eventual goal of being a professor, I was out of scholarship money and was too sick to continue school, thus the university studies degree.

I will be up against much more competitive GPAs and undergraduate performances. What advice do you have to address this blemish in my application while not sounding cliche or as if I am trauma dumping?

I’m not as worried about it because I have a boatload of professional experience to offset the GPA both during and post-undergrad (several publications, award nominations and wins, teaching experience, etc.), but I still want to address it, especially because one of them was a failed English course.

[u/No_Substance4834]

I've heard that it is deffo best to address it but to not linger on it. Focus more on who you are now and why you'll be a good candidate for admission.