Question
Should issues about past academic performance be addressed in the Statement of Purpose or a separate letter to the admissions committee.
Background
I had originally posted about my situation here: Should a dismissal from PhD in graduate application be listed as academic misconduct?
One of the answers to that question suggested that instead of using my statement of purpose to address academic concerns, I write a separate letter addressing the issue. However, others have suggested that colleges are unlikely to read such materials with the application. I have written a short (500 word) explaining the circumstances under which I received my bad grades and what I have done so this doesn't happen in the future. I have also written a short (500 word) statement of purpose that does not address my academic performance at all. Should I rework my SOP to incorporate the academic issue, and skip the additional letter?