Ask HN: I have been asked to write a statement about my low GPA by Google

Working part time to put yourself through school would be an extremely effective explanation if true. If your grades were bad at the beginning but have improved recently you could point out that you've become more mature and serious in your outlook. Talking up the side projects because school is too boring strikes me as unhelpful because it suggests you'll continue that pattern at work.

I imagine the best thing would be to just be honest? You obviously passed the interviews and thus are qualified enough. Maybe the coursework wasn't very engaging or a lot of "empty work" was required and you decided to focus on side-projects instead of chasing the high GPA. Or you decided to work on the side? Whatever it is, I believe the explanation would make sense.

Are you a new grad or experienced?

I am still a student and this is for google's summer internship.