There is now a PowerScore LSAT PodCast episode that expands on this popular blog post:
Episode 78: What’s the Deal With Addenda?
There are several things that can cause students to freak out when applying to law school. Some students worry about the relative “prestige” of their undergraduate institution and how schools will view that during the admissions process. Some have concerns about their choice of major, letters of recommendation, or that one C they got freshman year. Then there are the students that took the test cold and worry about what that looks like on their application. P.S. don’t take the LSAT cold. The list goes on endlessly.
For most students, the fears are unfounded. They are simply a by-product of a stressful admissions process where you nitpick everything about yourself and your file. However, for others, there are blemishes that are founded and need to be addressed and explained. That’s where addenda come in. Let’s start with the basics.
What is an Addendum
An addendum (plural: addenda) is a document, written by the applicant, explaining a negative in their application. It is usually brief in length and is an attachment to the application. By brief, we mean no more than one page long, typically only one to two paragraphs. Students usually write addenda to explain one of the following.
- Issues with your LSAT record. Examples include a very low LSAT score, multiple absences/cancellations, or an unusually high jump in scores from one administration to another.
- Issues with your GPA. For example, a very low GPA, a semester with sub-par grades in an otherwise great transcript, a rash of failed or withdrawn classes, etc.
- Issues with “character and fitness.” On that section of the application, you can explain a number of things:
- Interruption in your academic career.
- Academic disciplinary actions.
- Academic probations and/or expulsions.
- Criminal issues such as felonies, misdemeanors, arrests, or convictions.
- Dishonorable discharges from the armed forces.
How to Make an Effective Addendum
- Write carefully. Tone and word choice are incredibly important when writing an addendum. You’re essentially asking the Admissions Committee to ignore or disregard very important parts of the application. You can easily end up sounding as if you’re groveling. Or worse yet, you can end up sounding whiny, arrogant, irresponsible, immature, lacking in good judgment, or lacking self-awareness. It needs to convey information without boring or offending those reading it.Keep it short. There is absolutely no need to write an addendum that is longer than your personal statement. When addenda start breaking the 250-word barrier, you run the risk of rambling and creating more problems than you’re explaining.
- Don’t tell the admissions officers how to do their job. They know how to interpret LSAT scores and transcripts. The Admissions Committee will know how to interpret what you give them and will understand that it’s a supplement to your file.
- Keep it drama-free. Overselling the case or overstating the flaws tends to remove any seriousness from the addendum. This renders it useless for the purposes of explaining the flaw. You’re not trying to tug at heartstrings or solicit pity, so veer away from dramatic language.
- Stick to the facts. Don’t provide unnecessary information. Aside from increasing the length of the document, unnecessary details can also detract from the message you are seeking to convey.
- No flights of fancy. Addenda are different from the personal statement in that there is no element of creative writing in them. This is simply an explanation and a presentation of circumstances. There is no need to refer to stomach upsets as “exploding fireworks” or a migraine headache as “skull-splitting agony.” You may think it adds flair, but all it does is add unnecessary verbiage.
Final Things to Remember
Understand an addendum is not an excuse. What you’re providing to the Committee is additional information to consider during the evaluation of an application. Present the facts clearly, discuss the lessons you learned, and what you’re doing to ensure the negative doesn’t happen again. Excuses are just that—excuses. They have no place in an addendum. It’s important to remember that the purpose of the addendum is to explain, but not excuse, the negative in the application. Unless the circumstances were incredibly unusual and compelling, chances are pretty good that you are at least partially to blame for whatever the negative in your application happens to be. Don’t try to hoodwink the AdComs. They’ve seen enough of these addenda that they’ll see right through you! And they won’t be happy that you tried to shirk your part in the situation.
Another word of advice, never go “addendum-happy.” You do not need to explain why your GPA is a 3.72 instead of a 3.73, or why your LSAT score went down a single point on a retake. You don’t need to address every tiny detail that you are not pleased with! You need to discuss the glaring issues, not the minutia that is only noticeable to you. Submitting 12 different addenda makes you look slightly crazy, not thorough. You’re likely to exhaust and annoy whoever is reading your app, which is not something you want to do.
Perhaps most importantly, don’t forget that your personal statement is not an addendum. Use the personal statement for what it’s meant for! These allow you to present great or unusual qualities, beliefs, and experiences in a positive light. Don’t use it to explain inconsistencies in your application.
Not everyone needs to use an addendum. If there isn’t anything negative to address, don’t feel the need to create an issue or find something to explain. Instead, consider yourself one of the lucky ones! As for those of you who do have issues to explain—keep the tips above in mind. Be judicious in your use of addenda and you’ll minimize the negatives and enhance your application
Maria Talia says
Hi,
The faculty of the school I was in had a pretty strong grade curve 65-74% (2.7-3.0) average gpa. It was within the faculty’s policy for each course average to be within this range. I was a finance major at a top Canadian school. My overall gpa was near the bottom of this range (2.77). Is it worth writing an explanation regarding this policy? Overall I had some semesters where I was way below this average and some above. I’m just not sure how I should approach this. In addition, I also had an F one semester in an advanced statistics class which I later got an A- for when I retook it. I worked during my semester and played on 2 sports teams. Not sure what the focus should be.Should I focus on a somewhat upward trend in my grades, an explanation for the F, my work schedule/extracurriculars or simply just mention the faculty’s policy? Thanks for any insight you’re able to provide!
James says
Thanks for the response Dave! I appreciate it.
I assumed that would probably be the case. It is actually a pretty interesting story, but wasn’t entirely sure I should because it didn’t necessarily effect my GPA to a great extent.
Thanks again!
James says
Good afternoon,
First off, thank you for all of the amazing content.
My question is, would you recommend writing an addenda for explaining multiple transfers in undergrad? For context, I attended 5 universities in my first 5 semesters(yes I did finish with the last one), for various reasons.
Thank you for your time
Dave Killoran says
Hey James,
Thanks for the compliment–we appreciate it!
Easy answer here: YES. A single transfer, or perhaps even two would not warrant an explanation, but 5 in 5 semesters definitely requires explanation because any reader would immediately want to know what happened and why.
Thanks!
Bill says
Dave,
Thanks for your insight, as well as the additional resource! That really helped clear things up for me and offered direction with regards to the personal statement.
Just to reiterate: I’m incredibly grateful for the resources that you offer.
Dave Killoran says
Awesome, glad we could help! Good luck!
Bill says
Jon and Dave,
I’m so happy to have found your blog and podcast. I’m a first generation college graduate (’08, see below) and I’ll be 35 when I apply for law school (next cycle). I had many questions about the entire process and you guys have cleared up most of them.
However, you also sparked a new one with the recent podcast episode. I’ve not taken the LSAT yet. I currently PT in the mid to upper 160s. I’m confident in my ability to test into the 170s (fingers crossed).
My question pertains to my undergraduate GPA. As I mentioned, I graduated in 2008 from a state university. My cumulative GPA, including some dual-credit courses in high school, was a 3.48. I know a 3.48 is not terrible, but it does fall below the 25th percentile for all of my target schools.
This, again, was over ten years ago. My mother was going through a divorce, my brother was beginning to struggle with addiction, and then I also began to struggle with alcoholism and addiction during my final couple of years of undergrad. On top of that I was working near full-time.
I’m now over seven years sober and, after a couple of years working on small-scale farms and living for a stint at a Zen monastery, am currently in my final semester in an MFA program. My graduate school GPA is a 4.0.
Is this a situation where I would include and addendum for the GPA, or would my resumé, personal statement, and the obvious gap of time speak for themselves?
Thanks!
Dave Killoran says
Hey Bill,
Thanks for sharing, and I’m glad you found us as well 🙂
I have a question for you before I can reply in greater detail: what’s your personal statement about?
Thanks!
Bill says
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the follow-up. I really appreciate your sincerity.
Since I’m not applying until next cycle, I haven’t fully pinned down a personal statement. I imagine it as an outline of the convergence of interests that I think takes place in the arena of public-interest/governmental environmental law. Namely, my background in creative and academic reading and writing, as well as a background in sustainable agriculture, land ethics leadership, and community-based justice and nonviolence training. It has certainly been a meandering path, but I think comes together nicely in the law/policy/diplomacy realm of work. Discovering the specifics of what that work will look like is part of the excitement of the prospect of law school.
I certainly could use the space of the personal statement to also discuss my origins in a working class, rural Midwestern family, the fact of being a first-generation college graduate, and the grace and empowerment I’ve discovered in overcoming alcohol and substance abuse, if the personal statement seems like the appropriate place for that content. I’d love to know your thoughts.
Again, thanks for your generosity.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Bill,
Thanks for the extra info! I needed it to see how much–if any–crossover would occur between what you asked about and your personal statement. That leads me to several thoughts here:
• The story in your prior post would very likely be an excellent personal statement topic. They want to get to know you, and this sounds like a topic that would be a perfect vehicle for that.
• If you write that as your personal statement, then you don’t need an addendum on GPA since you could work that in with a short, easy reference in the statement.
• If you write the above essay as your personal statement, then you should write the addendum and cover this. In other words, you are going to talk about it either way 🙂
• When the time comes, watch the free seminar in here about what to write about, I think it will help: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/the-powerscore-ultimate-law-school-personal-statement-resource-list/
Thanks!
Cat says
Hello! Thank you for this great post and the informative podcasts! I’ve taken the LSAT four times. The first two exams were in 2017, and I scored 149 and later a 153. The most recent tests were last November and this January, scoring a 158 and a 160 respectively. Should I write an addendum explaining the jump in score from the 2017 administrations to the most recent ones? I attribute the increase in my score to mainly changing my study habits. Additionally, in a case where I’m applying to a school where my LSAT is below a school’s 50th percentile, would an addendum addressing my history of below-average standardized test scores be helpful to my application in addition to explaining the score increase from previous test administrations? My undergraduate GPA is 3.95 and my graduate GPA is 4.0.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Cat,
Thanks for the kind words! I likely wouldn’t write one here. But, we’ve covered both of your question topics in our most recent podcast on addenda! Listen to that episode – there’s a section on LSAT increase patterns as well as a later section on scoring history like you describe. It’s at https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/78/
Thanks!
Cat says
Hi Dave,
Thanks so much for your response and advice! I listened to the podcast and it was very helpful.
Dave Killoran says
That’s great to hear!
Ann says
Hi Dave!
Thanks for answering these questions.
I’m thinking about writing an addendum for a score drop from 167 (August 2020) to 163 (January 2021). I know it seems gratuitous, but given the large time gap between the two scores I don’t want schools to think I studied a lot and didn’t get any better.
Context: I was PT-ing at the time in the 170s, and was expecting a score around 175. The low score was due to an unexpected interruption from a sibling that was yelling in my testing area who couldn’t hear me asking them to quiet down because they were wearing headphones. (I was under the impression that the sibling had left the house, and I unfortunately wasn’t prepared to focus with the distraction and panicked.)
I’m not really sure how to proceed now, because I was expecting to be applying with a much higher score, but I suppose that doesn’t really mean much to committees that only see the official scores I have on file. I’m just afraid that the committees will just see the lower score and assume that I wasn’t capable of what I know I am.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Ann,
Thanks for the message! We’ll be recording a podcast on addenda that comes out tomorrow (Friday), so I’d recommend listening to that.
In your case, I would write one here but be careful and keep it short. First, they really don’t care about a 4 point drop and will mark you as a 167. So that’s the good news. But, you have a viable explanation for that 163, so I’d relay that to them. Mention that your expectation and prior performance lead you to believe you’d be scoring in the mid-170s but then there was a household interruption that created a major disturbance that affected your results, and thus the 1673 is not representative.
Do not go into great detail about your prior PT averages and expected score, since as you note they can only judge what is on the page in front of them!
Thanks!
Ann says
Oh thank you so much for the quick response! I was struggling to decide whether to send it ASAP and I just sent the addendum with the help of your advice. That was exactly what I needed to hear. I really appreciate your input. Can’t wait to hear the new pod!
Dave Killoran says
That’s great, and I’m glad I could help! Look for the podcast episode Monday–we had an audio problem and need to re-record it over the weekend 🙂
Liz says
Hi!
Thank you so much for the helpful post! I really appreciate all the helpful information provided on your blog posts and podcasts!
I had a question whether my LSAT history and an employment gap in my resume would warrant an addendum, and would like to know your thoughts.
1. I retook the LSAT this January, but I canceled my exam as I got ill during the test. Although some say that one cancel does not warrant an addendum, I saw on a website of a school I will be applying to that says: “a single canceled score has no impact on the evaluation on an application but please feel free to explain the circumstances surrounding your cancellation.” (Cornell Law School). In this case, should I include an addendum? Also, if I do happen to write an addendum for this, should I submit the addendum on my application to other schools as well?
2. I have been unemployed since January 2020 (I quit my job to focus more on preparing for my law school application and intended on finding a job with a lighter workload but unfortunately haven’t been able to find one due to no positions being open because of the COVID-19 situation.). Should I write an addendum explaining this employment gap in this case?
Thank you so much for the help!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Liz,
Thanks for the questions and kind comments! I’m so glad we’ve been able to help you so far 🙂 A few thoughts for you here:
1. Generally speaking, schools don’t care about a single cancel, and sometimes when you see language like this it is an artifact of past times when scores were averaged. That aside, you have an excellent reason for having cancelled, so when requested–as in this case–go right ahead and supply that info. It’s minor, but it can’t hurt. Just keep it short and sweet!
2. I would not. Your situation is quite common in 2020, and law schools will automatically assume this was Covid-related. So, no special explanation needed.
Please let me know if this helps. Thanks!
Meli says
Hi Jon and Dave! Thank you so much for this incredible feedback. I had a pretty huge jump (165 – then 163 – again 163 – then a 177. The 165 was exactly one year apart from the 177. The 163s were about 9 months after the 165, but during a time when I lost a family member. It was a very difficult time for me and I felt pressure to take the test, despite grief, so I could apply early. During that time, I was seeing an improvement on my PTs despite performing lower on those 2 exams. I don’t know if it is worth mentioning that. I do feel that I can attribute my most recent score 177 (which I took 3 months after the latest 163) to more clearheaded studying as well as better coping mechanisms to the grief I was feeling.
Do you think I need to write an addendum?
Dave Killoran says
Yes! I’d write it in a way that attributes the prior lower scores to grief and then the higher score to getting away from that and taking time away from the LSAT. It would be worth mentioning you felt pressure to take the LSAT during that grief period and that you wished you had not succumbed to that.
Thanks!
Devin says
Hi!
I have an LCAS GPA over 4.0 and LSAT score of 166. When I took the LSAT Flex this past January, I was overcome with a sort of pressure and anxiety that seemed to come out of nowhere–I haven’t experienced that sort of pressure on any test I’ve taken before. I know it’s affected my performance (my PT scores were in the lower 170s.) I don’t want to retake the test because I’d much rather move on in my career and attend law school this fall, even if not at the schools I’ve been aiming for.
I know that dealing with pressure during a test is part of the game, but I also feel that the score doesn’t reflect my abilities. Should I write an addendum for schools that have higher median LSAT scores?
Thank you!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Devin,
Thanks for the question! I probably wouldn’t, at least in this situation. The reason is that it suggests you might falter in the very high pressure world of law school, which could concern some top schools. While I don’t buy into the theory of universal pressure (since law exams are way different than the LSAT format), you have to be careful here. Plus, in a sense, it doesn’t matter: they can only judge you based on what is on the page, which is that 166. Telling them you could have done better still doesn’t give them anything concrete.
the place where I would write this (and I’d be careful even then) is if you had a second, higher score. Then you could say you experienced that pressure the first time and it affected you, but you regrouped and were able to overcome it the second time and it’s no longer an issue.
The issue in the first example is that it’s still ongoing and that could be a worry; in the second example you’ve conquered it and it’s no longer a current issue. Big difference there!
So, I’d skip it and just let it ride. I hope that helps and good luck!
Leah says
Hi!
Im first gen and URM- Native American so im kinda in the dark about a lot of things regarding the admissions process so Im hoping for your advice! My sophomore year spring semester I had a really bad semester that affected my entire undergrad GPA. I went from a 3.8 to a 3.3. Even though I retook the courses and did better and my undergrad GPA ended up at 3.5, LSAC factors in the original grades, making my CAS GPA a 3.3. The drop in my grades was due to me taking brutal science courses such as organic chemistry and realizing science was not for me, as well as very serious addiction issues of one my family members that took an emotional strain on me, and ultimately my academic performance.
Im wondering the best way to go about this in an addendum. I plan on keeping it very brief and to the point but im wondering if I should include both factors or only mention one of them. I think it is very obvious from my transcript that the only courses I did poorly in were a couple science courses. I can see pros and cons for both sides.
Thanks in advance!
Leah
Dave Killoran says
Hi Leah,
Thanks for the message! While these are always about how they are executed, for you I would advise focusing on the family issue as the main problem, and then mentioning this was compounded by you taking hard science courses that ultimately weren’t for you (but they did help you realize that as well, which was obviously useful). This put the emphasis on the more sympathetic factor while not ignoring the reality that organic chem is rough everywhere 🙂
You might also want to listen to our next podcast, which will discuss addenda. It will post at: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/ sometime next week.
Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!
Nicole says
Hello! Thank you so much for this post, it was very informative, but I’m still not sure whether or not I should write a LSAT addendum. I took the LSAT in January and got a 154, which I know is on the lower side, and my gpa from undergrad was a 3.93. I have a history of performing average or slightly below on big tests, like the SAT, so I was wondering if I should write an addendum discussing how I don’t typically do well on big tests, but always do well when in class exams, or should I not write an addendum? If you could let me know I would greatly appreciate it, thank you!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Nicole!
Given your history, I’d definitely write an addendum on this. You have a compelling explanation and track record to show that standardized tests are not indicative of your performance once in school–explain that and it will help them better assess you! Treat it as an explanation and not an excuse and it will come off well, and be useful to them.
Good luck!
Kat says
Hi Dave
I’ve now taken the LSAT three times, once in 2017 and this past November and January. In 2017 I studied alone and got a 160, then decided to go work for a law firm for a while first.
I started studying in June. This November I got a 166, which was a couple points below my more recent preptests at that point, so I signed up for January. In between those two tests I starting tutoring with PowerScore and was scoring consistently in the low to mid 170s. All I can say is that on test day, my anxiety took over. I couldn’t focus, I ran out of time in LR and LG and just generally felt awful and scored a 160. I don’t want to sound whiny in my applications, but that score was the lowest by 5 or more points I’ve seen at all during my studying, and 10+ points lower than tests in the last two months.
What do you suggest? I understand it’s too late to take an exam again for this cycle and I’m worried about having 4 LSATs on an application.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Kat,
I’m so sorry this happened to you! Two thoughts: first, if you apply now, I’d write an addendum and reference that you had issues during this recent test that affected your score, and lead to a result that was well below where you had been practicing. Beyond that, though, all claims of “I was PTing much better” fall on deaf ears because they can’t see those practice scores and they can’t use them anyway in assessing you. So, don’t go into great detail there; just mention issues and make it short and concise–check the box by explaining what happened and move on.
Second, four test results doesn’t bother me, and many applicants go in with four or more scores (I’ve seen higher still get into T14s). the key to a 4th take would be to post a score more like your practice. you do that, and it would be worth it and be a benefit. If it comes in below the 166, it’s obviously a waste of your time and on that count alone isn’t worth it. So, this is my way of saying your decision here has to be based not on worrying about 4 takes, but on considering whether you can take that test again and do better. Your record suggests you can, but you have to make it happen on test day now.
I hope that helps!
Kat says
Thanks very much for the quick reply!
I’d already applied and asked several higher tier schools to wait for the Jan score before a final decision. I know mindset had everything to do with this epic flop, and I genuinely hope it wouldn’t happen again but I don’t know. April would likely mean reapplying next year, right?
Thanks again!
Dave Killoran says
Most likely but it depends on the school too 🙂
Mads Shiver says
Hi there,
I have a question about potentially writing an addendum about my LSAT scores. I originally took the test and scored 164. With more studying, I was scoring low and mid-170s. I retook the test two more times, but I had interruptions for both (one was lots of outside noise after the election was called in Nov. and the other time I was interrupted by hotel staff during the test I took in Jan.) and my scores went down both times below 164. Should I describe this in my addendum? I do not think my 164 is reflective of my abilities and I do not have the option of taking the test again for some of my schools with higher score medians because January was the cut off. I also should note that I have an additional addendum for my GPA because I have a specific reason why my grades were slightly lower for a semester. I don’t want to make it seem like I am making excuses, but I also feel the 164 is not reflective of my best work.
Thanks for any help in advance!!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Mads,
Yes, you definitely want to describe what happened here, namely because your explanation is excellent and understandable! Don’t make it sound like an excuse, just a matter-of-fact recitation of the unfortunate circumstances that affected your score. It will help, and that’s the case despite also having a GPA addendum. More info is better here since they will naturally wonder what happened!
Thanks!
Mads says
Hi Dave,
Thanks for this really helpful info. I was wondering if you could offer a bit of advice on one more thing. I submitted my top choice app on Feb. 1 as that was the final deadline. The Jan scores did not come out until Feb 3. I’m wondering if it is worth emailing the admissions committee to try and add this new LSAT multiple score addendum to my application, or if that is a bit too extra given the deadline already passed. Thanks in advance.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Mads,
Since they will see the score automatically and your addendum is useful, I would still submit it. Changes/additions/updates to apps a bit after the deadline are common, so no worries there!
Spencer says
Hi!
Thanks so much for the helpful post.
I am trying to determine whether I should write addendums for my (1)GPA and/or (2)LSAT scores.
1) My LSAC GPA is a 3.53 because of subpar dual credit courses my senior year of high school and a 2.6 my first semester of college. My aunt (who was practically my second mother) was diagnosed with terminal cancer my senior year and passed away that first of college. I had an extremely difficult time coping and my grades suffered as a result. I was also a science major my freshman fall and quickly realized I absolutely hated it, so combined with my grief I was not in a great place. I had to withdraw from one of my classes so I was only taking 10 hours. That spring I changed my major to polisci and from that term on had semester GPAs of 3.7+ with 4.0s my last two.
-I discuss the difficult time I had coping with my aunt’s loss in my PS but not in terms of grades or numbers.
Would an addendum be helpful to give the facts and emphasize my upward trend and high major GPA?
-It is also relevant that I have ADHD and a learning disability that went undiagnosed until my sophomore year
of college. This certainly was a contributing factor in my initial academic struggles, but I have concerns about
disclosing that because of how it pertains to my LSAT situation (below).
2) I have one canceled LSAT score (July 2019), a 162 (July 2020), and a 172 (Nov 2020). I decided to take the July 2019 test on a whim the month before because of the free retake option. I am not at all concerned about this cancel and don’t think it requires any explanation (I hope). I signed up to use the retake voucher for Feb 2020, but had to reschedule due to an unexpected conflict and pushed it to April. Of course then COVID happened and with all that chaos I ended up not being able to take the test until July, when I got my 162. I was unhappy with this score because despite studying for so long, I could not complete even just 1 full section in 35 minutes on any test I took due to my disabilities. I applied for and received accommodations for the November test, and buckled down and studied my butt off because this was going to be my last time taking it. I got a 172.
-Another factor in my improvement was burnout before the July 2020 test from having to reschedule multiple times. I took time off before prepping for November and that’s when I saw the most improvement. I highly doubt this is a good enough explanation for an effective addendum.
-I understand that 10 points is a big jump, but I am concerned that disclosing my accommodations will
undermine the hard work I had to put in to achieve that score.
-Will a 10 point improvement in 4 months be a red flag on my application if I don’t write an addendum?
What addendums (if any) would you write in my situation? Any insight at all would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Spencer,
Thanks for the message! These are fairly easy answers I think:
1. Definitely write an addendum for this. Don’t repeat your personal statement but go ahead and reference it. This is a compelling explanation that will explain what happened to the adcomm quite easily, so to be there’s no question at all that you should do this one.
2. No addendum needed on this one. I can’t see a good explanation that benefits you, and frankly these days double-digit jumps aren’t that uncommon (at least I see them frequently). So, leave this one alone. It won’t be a red flag so don’t draw further attention to it.
Thanks and best of luck with the apps!
Liz says
Hi!
I have been out of work since August 2020 (was laid off due to COVID and was able to focus on applying to law schools instead of working). This is the only gap on resume, which has about 8 years of work experience on it, would you recommend writing an addendum for this?
Thank you!
Dave Killoran says
I would not! Many people have been affected by the pandemic, and law schools are well aware this has affected job status. So for this instance specifically, it’s not necessary.
Thanks!
Olivia Ramsay says
Hello!
I am wondering if I should write a LSAT Addenda. I scored a 150 on my first exam in October, and a 151 in November. I have a 3.82 GPA, have many leadership positions/extracurricular activities – president of my student body, policy fellow, and more. I have a pretty good personal statement, really good letters of recommendation, and a compelling diversity statement according to my law school advisor. I am getting ready to submit my applications and want to make sure that I do not miss an opportunity to explain how COVID-19 has caused a lot of disruption in ability to preform to the best of ability on the exam, or how the score does not reflect my academic abilities.
Jon Denning says
Hi Olivia – thanks so much for visiting the blog and posting your question!
You certainly could be someone who would be well-served by a score addendum. To me the decision depends on which schools you’re considering, and where your 151 falls on their LSAT median range. That is, if you’re above their 50th percentile, or even closer to their 75th, then I don’t feel an addendum would be necessary. However if you’re at or below their 50th then an addendum explaining your situation (just as you describe it) would make a lot of sense!
I hope that helps!
Mara says
Hi Dave,
This thanks for this post and the podcasts, they’ve been super helpful. I’m 12 yr out of undergrad and have a couple questions:
1. I spent a few years in tech startups and got fired twice, leading to one small (1 month) and one large (9 months) gaps on my resume. I used the 9 month period to do some hard reflecting on why things hadn’t worked and transitioned away from startups into a Fortune 500 company where I’ve been thriving for the past 2 years. During this time I also helped aid an ailing parent. Question is: do i need to address the gaps with an addenda and, if so, how much detail and do I need to tell them I got fired?
2. My career has been varied and evolved from international relations to business and now (hopefully!) to law. It’s involved a few contract positions and internships that lasted less than a year (outside of the above terminations). I’m wondering if I need to explain the short length of the positions or the change in career area in an addenda?
Thank you again for all your help!
Mara
Dave Killoran says
Hi Mara,
Thanks for the message! Your questions—and the story behind them—are a good example of how difficult it can be to give advice without being able to see the actual execution of the addendum. I’ll explain as I reply:
1. You do not have to explain a 1 month gap in employment. And you probably don’t even have to explain a 9 month gap, although that’s much more debatable. But here’s the thing that makes this interesting: there is a possible case to be made for including your firing before this 9 month gap. I could see a really engaging essay that starts with something like “Getting fired was the best thing that happened to me,” and then addresses startup culture and how you needed to rethink your goals, which then lead you down a new, much more satisfying path. Is that a risk? Certainly. And this is why seeing how you executed such an essay would be critical. And it’s also why I’ll take the relatively unusual step of recommending you work with a professional on that.
2. Short employment tenures are very common these days, and so by themselves aren’t an issue. If the changes reflect a rise in responsibility and scope of job, its not an issue at all—you just like a fast riser. However, when it’s more randomized, then it sometimes will look like you don’t have stability or perseverance. It’s again hard for me to tell here, and so I’m not 100% comfortable saying it’s a hard yes or no to this question. It could be that you combine all these elements together and have a single addendum that slickly addresses everything. If done properly, it could check the box on easing adcomm minds, which is exactly what these addenda are supposed to do. This is why I’d say it’s something where professional help would be advantageous for you.
By the way, internships don’t count for these purposes—they are known to not be long-term positions so you don’t have to explain a short internship.
I hope that helps. Thanks!
Kate says
Hi,
Thanks so much for this great blog. I have an issue that has been bugging me for too long. I am not your conventional student. Straight after high school, I started working have switched into a couple of different fields since then. Late in my twenties, I earned a professional diploma and went on to earn several others and it was only in my thirties I earned my first degree and a graduate degree. That’s what LSAC count as the first degree. Would this background be viewed negatively? I mean switching careers, not earning the first degree sooner, and the fact that I am in my thirties? I plan to include some of it in my PS to explain my motivation but it’s not possible to explain every turn. Is this something that should be addressed in a PS?
I really appreciate your response. Many thanks in advance.
Kate says
I meant to ask “Is this something that should also be addressed in an Addendum?”.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Kate,
Short answer: no, this isn’t a negative 🙂
Longer answer: law schools value people from all walks of live and backgrounds, so being unconventional (or NonTrad in admissions parlance) isn’t bad at all, and can actually be a slight positive.
As to whether you need an addendum on it, it depends on how much is covered in your personal statement. Only after seeing the extend of coverage there could anyone assess whether an additional statement is needed. I could see it being useful, but only write one if the narrative/explanation makes sense and what you are explaining is something that actually needs explaining!
Thanks!
Ann says
Hi!
I was wondering if I needed to write addenda for my lsat and my gpa:
1)I have a 3.54 gpa, although my major gpa (which includes just the upper div classes) is a 3.83. The first half of college I was simply foolish. The last two years of college I split my time between an honors thesis, an internship, 2 leadership roles in two different orgs, a student job, and my academics. If I needed to, I would write about learning to recognize burn out, then add that since my days as a student (I graduated), I’ve added more structure and intentional rest into my schedule.
2) Re: LSAT I took it four times (2 cancels, a 158, then most recently a 171). The first time I was in a car accident before the test (canceled), second time there was 3 hour start delay (scored a 158), the third time was an lsat flex with proctor interruptions and mid-test technical problems (canceled). I finally had an uninterrupted test in November 2020 and scored a 171. Should I write an addendum for the 13 point jump?
3) In addition, is it too late to submit applications now (I’m mostly done with all required essays, but I’m just polishing them up)
Thank you so much in advance!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Ann,
Thanks for the message! A few thoughts here:
1. I don’t see this as necessary. they’ll see the trend and sub-GPA.
2. I would write an addendum here (and knowing this was likely to happen made me less likely to recommend a GPA addendum, fyi; you don’t want too many addenda if you can help it).
3. Nope, not too late at all! Every school is still accepting them 🙂 Better to put your best foot forward as opposed to showing up early not ready to go.
Thanks and good luck!
Aimee Grainer says
Makes perfect sense. Thanks so much!
Happy New Year!
Aimee Grainer says
Hello! Thank you so much for this post and all your other brilliant resources. As an “older” (32) law school applicant, I am particularly grateful for the assistance getting my head back into the academic game.
I wanted to ask about two possible addenda: 1) Re: extracurricular history in high school and college, and 2) Re: LSAT.
For 1) I didn’t have an active extracurricular resume, as I am sure many accomplished law school students did. My family is poor; I worked multiple jobs to make ends meet throughout both high school and college. In high school, I applied to a magnet school a couple hours from my home, in larger part to combat my family’s circumstances. The busing routine required to make this work precluded taking on much in the way of after-school activities. I was an excellent student academically. I do talk through my background in my “diversity statement,” but do not address how it sometimes prevented me from taking on extracurricular activities. Lastly, I have been in the workforce for 10 years and I have had a successful career. Do I need to address my lack of extracurriculars as a student?
2) I read all of the previous comments and your replies (thank you), and it sounds as though I should avoid writing an LSAT addendum if I can help it. At what point is it required or expected? What kind of score differential would raise an eyebrow, if it weren’t accompanied by an addendum?
Thanks so much for your time.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Aimee,
Thanks for the message! I’m so glad we could help you so far 🙂
Let’s take a look at your two questions:
1. I want to start at the end here, with “Do I need to address my lack of extracurriculars as a student?” — Good news here, the answer is No. That’s ten years ago, and frankly they don’t much care at this point. You’ve presumably been doing things in the last ten years that build up a stronger EC roster, and that’s what to focus on. Side note for any other readers: you NEVER have to talk about high school ECs in a law school app 🙂
If you did want to address it, however, I think a passing sentence in your Diversity statement would suffice!
2. The point in writing one is to explain something that would raise a natural question. So, for example, small LSAT jumps don’t merit an explanation. Two normal takes that result in a 161 and then a 168 will be presumed to be the result of more studying and a better day, and that’s fine. Now, if the 161 was partially caused by technical issues on the Flex test, I would likely be inclined to let law schools know that. In other words, if things were normal, ignore small gains or decreases (which means you also don’t have to explain a 171 followed by a 168). If something notable is in play, then the merits of writing one go way up.
What’s the point where—under normal circumstances—it becomes likely that you need to write one about your increase? Well, that depends. It used to be anything double-digits was likely worth an addendum, but that’s not so much the case these days. And that’s especially true if the explanation is “I studied more.” I tell our students to avoid those like the plague since it clearly but unintentionally indicates you didn’t take the test seriously enough the first time around! So, a 10 point increase under normal conditions wouldn’t be enough. I feel like it’s going to take about 12 points or more in order to compel an addendum, but again that’s under normal circumstances. If something weird happened that cause your issues, then that number drops way down from 12.
In other words, the answer here is it depends on the nature of each testing administration, as well as how big the point differential is.
I hope that makes sense! Thanks!
Becca says
Hello!
I’m having trouble finding resources about writing an addendum addressing a gap in resume. I left my job in March to move to another state for my wife’s career, and then decided to apply to law school…it coincides with Covid19 but I wouldn’t say the gap in my resume is due to the pandemic (I’ve used the move to reevaluate my career trajectory and have been financially fortunate enough to use this time to study for the LSAT, provide child care for full time family friends, and prep my applications). Thoughts?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Becca,
Thanks for the question. Why not just focus on this part: “I left my job in March to move to another state for my wife’s career” ? That’s a viable explanation, and if you wanted to combine that with the pandemic you can, but you don’t have to. Moving to support your spouse–and doing the required family things that go along with that–are a completely valid reason to have a gap, especially if you did it knowing you were making a change (a sort of “free year” where you can spend time in your life and with family in a way you can’t normally do). Your situation is not a weakness, but a strength, and is akin to a sabbatical (although child care is no vacation, that I know).
Thanks!
Angelica says
Hello! I have a 3.82 GPA from a tier 1 university. My LSAT score is a 164. I was wondering if I should write an addendum based on my LSAT score. When applying for undergrad several years ago, I scored a 1840 on the SAT which was close to the average for my class at the tier 1 university. However, with my GPA of 3.82 I graduated magna cum laude (90th percentile). Some law school applications offer an addendum if we have a history of standardized tests under-predicting our academic success, and to include a copy of the prior score. I believe this is the case for my LSAT score. Would you recommend that I write an addendum for this? Thank you!
Jon Denning says
Hi Angelica – thanks for posting!
I’d say an addendum could be warranted here under certain circumstances. The first that comes to mind where that 164 puts you relative to your target schools’ medians, where I wouldn’t write/submit one if you’re at or above midpoints I don’t think, but if you’re under the 50th then it becomes a much more reasonable decision. Secondly, if you’re applying to schools that directly specify they take past standardized test results into consideration and prior academic achievement speaks to what you feel is more potential than scores alone, that’s a pretty solid case for an addendum, as well.
In short, it’s really all about context and school policy–some schools wouldn’t want the extra paperwork for a 164 and excellent GPA; others clearly might. So those are factors in play imo
Lastly, you’ve got an incredible set of credentials, and with an LSAT score even 3-4 points higher (which I think you could attain, especially if the 164 is your only attempt) you’d be in a far better position, certainly with no need for the addendum. So if it’s me I’d also be looking at a retake, likely in February given deadlines. That could be the difference in maybe not getting in where you’d like to go vs five-figure scholarship offers and more reliable acceptance outcomes. So if you *can* take the LSAT again I’d urge you to consider it!
I hope this helps!
Nicole Perez says
Hello!
I am not sure if I should write an addendum for my GPA. It took multiple dual enrollment courses during high school and did not do well. I was dealing with my parent’s divorce and my house being sold. However, once I was in college I graduated with a 3.89 GPA. But, LSAC calculated it to a 3.66 because of my dual enrollment credits.
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Nicole,
Thank you for your comment. In your case, we would absolutely recommend writing an addendum! With a discrepancy that large, law schools should at least be notified that you obtained a 3.89 while in college and that it was the high school classes that unfortunately knocked your GPA down to 3.66.
So be sure to follow the advice given in this blog to make certain that your addendum is effective. We also offer Law School Admissions consulting and you can find more about our packages here: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/law-school-admissions/.
Thanks!
Alyson says
Greetings,
I am really unsure whether or not I should write an addendum for my LSAT scores. The first time I took it I got a 147, the second a 154, and unfortunately the third a 147 again. I was honestly surprised because my PTS for my last exam (Oct. Flex) were an average of 158-160. The October Flex was not a good experience as I was interrupted by the proctor about two times. However, I did not not cancel because I figured it wasn’t that big of a deal. I don’t really have any excuse other than the fact that standardized tests have not be indicative of my ability to succeed in school. I am worried that admissions will be skeptical of my 154 because of the most recent 147. I don’t know if I should explain my Flex experience or just suck it up and apply without explaining the score drop.
I have a 3.9 GPA, strong recommendation letters, a compelling personal statement (according to my professors), and several undergrad legal work experiences. In case that matters. Please let me know. Thanks!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Alyson,
Thanks for the question, and we’re sorry to hear about the proctor issues you experienced on test day. However, we typically think an addendum is unnecessary except in more extreme cases.
Please keep in mind that the ABA (American Bar Association) requires schools to report only the highest LSAT scores of students, regardless of how many times they have taken the test. What this means is that since schools only report their students’ highest LSAT scores to the ABA, all law schools only consider an applicant’s highest LSAT score. Yes, schools will see all of your scores if you have multiple retakes, but in the end, it’s the highest number that’s reported so it’s the highest number that matters.
Thank you!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Alyson,
I wanted to add a comment here. First, I’m sorry this happened, but I truly hope you are planning on taking the LSAT again. Your prior average was solidly higher, and with your GPA you really want a higher LSAT score to not only open the door to better offers but to unlock higher scholarship offers as well.
Second, if you can retake and score higher, then I would actually add an addendum that simply notes you had been progressing well with your studies but that the October LSAT had technical problems for you which compromised your results, and that your most recent results are more indicative.
Thanks!
Jennifer says
Hi Dave,
Thank you so much for your response! I won’t be writing an LSAT addendum. (Also your and Jon’s LSAT podcast really helped calm my nerves throughout the whole transition to LSAT-Flex. I listened every week up until I finished my LSAT journey. I am forever grateful for that resource.)
Thanks again!
Jennifer says
Hi! Thank you for this helpful post. I took the LSAT 3 times. The first time I got a 165, the second time a 168, and the third a 173. I took the test about 2 years ago and knew I could score better. I took some more time to study and re-took the LSAT in May (LSAT-Flex) and had an unexpected hour delay before getting a proctor. That delay definitely threw me off, and I had a feeling that would be reflected in my score. I signed up for the June LSAT-Flex test where I ended up scoring the 173, which was in my practice test range. Because there was a 5-point score jump within a month and a half, should I write an addendum for this increase? Also, what are your thoughts on reaching out to individual schools to ask their opinions on writing an LSAT addendum?
Thank you for all your help!
Jennifer says
To clarify–I took the first test (where I got the 165) about 2 years ago.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for the message! I wouldn’t write one here–it’s fairly clear to me just looking at your history that you retook the test on the belief you could do better each time, and then successfully did so. Your score record presents no red flags or uncertainties, and so I don’t believe any school will be wondering why you took it three times, or why you took it over a few years. It stands on its own merits and doesn’t raise any questions, so I don’t see the need for an addendum.
Thanks!
Rebecca Temkin says
Hello! Thanks for this helpful post. I have a 3.7 GPA from an Ivy League school, and I took the LSAT 3 times. The first time I got a 154, the second time a 164, and the third a 168. I was told by at least one school that I need to write an addendum, however, I’m struggling with the right language to explain my massive score jump. In reality, I was in a PhD program that I was planning on dropping out of, and I was trying to balance studying for the LSAT while also doing all of my normal grad school work, although I don’t feel like this is a hood enough “excuse.” Another reason is that I just didn’t give myself enough time to study, and the other scores are the result of many months of studying + a prep course. Can you help me figure out what kind of language to use for this problem? In addition, I was on the dean’s list every semester of college except for 1 semester where my GPA dropped to a 3.2. I don’t have much of an explanation here, except for the fact that I was taking really hard classes that were outside of my major. Do I need to write something about my GPA, or should I keep it to my LSAT?
Thank you!
Jon Denning says
Hi Rebecca – thanks for reaching out! Yours is an interesting situation, in that normally I wouldn’t recommend an addendum for someone with your scoring history/trajectory: you’ve shown what I, and from my experience schools, would consider to be a typical-enough improvement that supplying an explanation or clarification of it is generally unnecessary. That’s not to say what you’ve achieved is common! Just that it’s not alarming/unusual enough that I’d think a school would want more information.
Regardless, since a school has asked for an addendum let’s discuss how to tackle it.
Two key things occur to me straight away: (1) as you note, you don’t want it to sound like you’re making excuses or being self-critical about the early results, and (2) you likely don’t want to overemphasize (or even mention, potentially) the beneficial impact of an outside source, like a prep course, as it’s better to attribute growth to your own diligence and self-sufficiency. So keep it simple: frame it as taking the test at the outset and realizing that with additional time and study you knew you could improve, and then committing yourself to doing just that. You continued to study and retook the LSAT leading to a 10-point gain, but were still confident that your potential was greater so you kept at it and reached your goal. That doesn’t paint any of the earlier performances in a negative light, nor does it make it seem like you underachieved. Rather, you continued to study and improve until you had a score that reflected your true aptitude. (You’ll want to use your own words/language to express all of that, of course, but that’s the message to convey)
As for your GPA, a 3.7 doesn’t require any explanation, especially if (as you mention) there isn’t some reasonable circumstance that you could point to. So I wouldn’t worry about that.
I hope that helps!
Rebecca Temkin says
Thanks Jon! Definitely helpful, and I was also surprised that they said I needed to write an addendum. I’ll maybe speak to someone on the phone to get another opinion to check, since you think a 14 point jump is not so unusual as to merit an addendum.
Thanks again!
Luke says
Hi there,
I was just curious about the effect that withdrawals have on admission decisions. I have a 3.88 gpa and I scored a 169 on my first LSAT which I’m happy with. I do have 4 W’s on my transcript though, they’re not punitive, however, and I dropped half of them because I changed my major. Is this worth including on an addendum or are W’s not that big of a deal? Thanks!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Luke,
If those were spread out over time, no need for an addendum. If they were all concentrated in one or two semesters, then a simple explanation would make sense, and help answer any questions that the committee might have 🙂
Thanks!
Meghan says
Hello!
Thank you for the informative post. I am trying to decide whether to write an addendum addressing my low LSAT score. I took the LSAT for the first time in June (which was administered online as the LSAT-FLEX due to COVID-19), and although I consistently scored 160+ on practice exams, I scored a 155 on test day. I was supposed to start my exam at 11:30am, but I had technical issues connecting to a proctor and ended up dealing with IT technicians for an hour and a half. It was an incredibly stressful experience and totally threw me off before I was finally able to write my exam. My GPA is above 3.7 and I have extensive work and research experience post graduation… Do you think this is something is something law schools would understand? Or would I be better off to find the time to retake the exam? Thank you for your consideration!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Meghan,
Thanks for the question, and we’re sorry to hear about the technical issues you experienced on test day. However, we typically think an addendum is unnecessary except in more extreme cases (e.g., a very low GPA, a semester with sub-par grades in an otherwise great transcript, a rash of failed or withdrawn classes, etc.).
Given that your score is below your results on practice tests and you experienced factors that certainly affected your performance in a negative way, we definitely recommend finding the time to retake the LSAT. The LSAT is the single most important factor in your application, law schools only care about the highest score, and test takers can take the LSAT three times per testing cycle, so it is certainly worth your time to prepare again for the test. Feel free to take a look at our blog here for more information on retaking the LSAT: Should You Retake the LSAT?.
Thank you!
Trevor says
I jumped from a 168 on my first LSAT attempt to a 177 on the second one, largely because I underestimated the amount of time needed to study during the first go round. I have a 3.77 UGPA from an Ivy League school. Would you recommend writing an addendum to explain this 9pt increase? Given the large jump, I’m slightly concerned that admissions officers at the top schools will see the 177 as an abberation.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Trevor,
Thanks for the message. That’s actually not how they look at it. 177 simply doesn’t happen due to an aberration or accident. If you do this long enough you learn that, and law schools know that to be true 🙂
I would not recommend writing an addendum because even though the point jump is decent, the percentile jump isn’t, and it will be clear why you took it twice. Plus, your explanation as stated actually reflects badly on you–it suggests you didn’t do prior research to inform yourself sufficiently of how the test or process worked. So, for me, ride the 177 and don’t try to explain something that doesn’t need explaining 🙂
Thanks!
Stephanie says
Hi there!
I know I will need to write an addendum, however I wanted some advice on if law schools would understand my situation. I started off a little rocky at my community college but by my last three semesters I made straight A’s. I transferred to a state university, but unfortunately I failed three classes and withdrew from the other one because I was in a bad situation in an abusive relationship. I was withdrawn from the university, and started online school where I had a rocky first trimester but have gotten straight As since. Every other class (only two) I have failed I have retaken, but was obviously not able to do so at that institution. Is this a situation admissions committees would understand?
Thanks for your time.
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for your post! Yes, you would want to write an addendum addressing the situation you described below: explain what happened, take responsibility, and indicate what you have learned from the situation and that your retake grades are more indicative of your performance. This will help admission committees understand your situation! There is no definite answer on how admissions committees will look at this scenario, but a well-presented addendum alongside an otherwise stellar application (a high LSAT score, outstanding letters of recommendation, a compelling personal statement, etc.) will definitely sway the odds in your favor!
Thanks!
Kay says
Hello!
I cannot decide if I should write an addendum, or just include it in my personal statement – primarily because I do not find my situation to be regrettable or a mistake, but it may be questionable to a committee.
After one year in an art history PhD, I dropped out to pursue law school. This decision was due to various reasons, but primarily because of the failing academic covid19 job market and an interest to do more impactful work for the here-and-now. I was not academically suffering – in fact I received a 4.0 that entire year, and my PhD professors are extremely supportive and are writing my recommendation letters. Moreover, I am pursuing law in the hopes of practicing art law – thus, still within the field, but adjacent.
Would you advise to write the circumstances of this leave in an addendum? Or address it in the personal statement?
Thanks in advance!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Kay,
Thanks for the question! I actually think you could go either way, meaning this is more about execution than anything else. the key for me is whether your personal statement can include this info without it being a detour, piecemeal, or in any way negative. So, if it fits in perfectly with what you planned to write about, go for it. But, if you are trying to shoehorn it in, then I’d move to an addendum and put it there. Should it be addressed? Yes, because it raises a natural question about why you moved to law, and that needs to be answered.
I hope that helps. Thanks!
ritozeh saingbe says
Hi,
Thanks for the post. I have a follow up question. I graduated from Syracuse in May of 2019. After graduating, I took 2 classes in a non-degree, non-certificate manner at Fordham University, that have nothing to do with my interest in Law School. I just registered for the Feb. LSAT and I’m currently compiling application materials. Do the 2 classes from Fordham NEED to be submitted too? Are there any repercussions for not submitting them?
Dave Killoran says
Hi,
Thanks for the question! Based on work I’ve done in the past, I’d say these still need to be reported. However, please call LSAC and double-check because regulations change all the time!
the currently printed rules read as follows:
Required Transcripts
Law schools require transcripts from the following institutions you have attended:
community colleges
undergraduate and graduate institutions
law, medical, or professional institutions
institutions attended for summer or evening courses
institutions attended even though a degree was never received
Technically that last item applies to you, and so they’d likely say you need to have them submitted. the penalty? If you are found to not have complied with disclosure requirements you can be disbarred once you are a lawyer. That’s not highly likely though, but you might run into C&F issues trying to get into the bar.
Note: this is not legal advice, and in any event we strongly advise you to disclose all classes taken at all institutions.
Thanks!
Lucas says
Hi! Thank you for the helpful post. I have a 171 LSAT but a 3.14 GPA from my degree school (3.25 when combined with a semester at a community college). I also have been out of school working for nearly 4 years. I can honestly say I just handled undergrad immaturely, but it doesn’t reflect my current work ethic or approach to education. Is this something you would suggest not including in an addendum or could being honest about handling undergrad in a way you regret be a positive?
Thank you!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Lucas,
Thank you for your question. Please note that you are what is called a “splitter.” A splitter is a person with a high LSAT score and a low GPA. We generally think addendums are unnecessary except in more extreme cases (e.g., a very low GPA, a semester with sub-par grades in an otherwise great transcript, a rash of failed or withdrawn classes, etc.), so your case usually wouldn’t qualify. Low GPAs often come with some cause for the low grades that can be used to create a compelling personal statement instead. Feel free to check out our blogs on traditional splitters and splitter-friendly law schools below!
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/what-are-law-school-splitters-reverse-splitters-super-splitters/
https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/which-law-schools-are-splitter-friendly/
Thank you!
Max P says
Thanks for the post. I have two “negatives” on my resume (although neither are terribly bad). I have a 3.92 GPA, an honors student, getting around 168-170 practice LSAT, etc. However, I have withdrawn from 3 classes over the course of 9 semesters, the first two classes I was deciding whether or not I wanted to pursue that specific major (Econ), and the third one was a language, and I dropped it because I had a job offer and I could take another language during my school’s winter semester.
My other negative was during my first semester; I had a 2.7 GPA because I kept getting sick (I had mono and strep throat over the course of 8-10 weeks). My grades dropped because I took 8 A.M. classes every day and often couldn’t go to class. However, this was my first semester and on my transcript it shows that this was clearly an anomaly. So for my question (sorry it took this long lol), should I write 1 addendum on both of these issues, 2 separate addenda, or should I not worry? Thank you in advance!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Max,
Thanks for the question! This is an easy one: write a single addendum that focuses solely on the 2.7 semester, mainly because you have an excellent and reasonable excuse for it. The 3 withdrawals are simply not notable enough or even a concern that would require an addendum or any comment so don’t worry about mentioning that.
Thanks!
Kyra says
Thank you for this post! I’m not sure if I should include an addendum or not. I took the LSAT three times. The first time I cancelled, second time I got a 156, and the third time I got a 162. There weren’t any significant issues going on like family issues or illness, I just changed up my studying habits and that led me to my 162. Is that something that should be addressed?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Kyra!
Congrats on your score increase! Our advice here is no addendum. Schools will treat you as a 162, and take note of the fact that you made a 6-point improvement as the result of (presumably) hard work and dedication, two highly-desirable attributes in the eyes of an admissions committee.
Thank you!
Kole says
Hello, I have a 142, 148, and a 159 on my lsac record. Should I write why there is a 17 point difference between my first and last scores? The first two scores were over a year ago, when I had bad family problems going on and once those subsided I was able to get a better handle on the LSAT and study regularly . My Ugpa is 3.77 and my Graduate gpa is 3.7x currently enrolled (Applied Economics).
Thank you.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Kole,
Yes, I think if you can give them some further details about what was happening, it will let them ignore those early scores with a clear conscience (they would anyway, but if you can eliminate an obvious question with a good explanation, why not do it?).
Thanks!
Jena says
Hello! This post was very informative, thank you! I have a 3.99 from my undergrad degree but a 3.36 from my graduate degree due to two Cs that I got in a term where family issues took over my time. Would this low GPA in my graduate degree warrant an addendum? Will explaining the family issues– even in a matter-of-fact way– still be viewed as making an excuse? How would you suggest approaching that– if at all? Thank you so much for the insight!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Jena,
Yes, I’d write one since you have a viable excuse as to your grades there. The good news: they don’t care much about grad school grades, and once they see a viable explanation, they will focus almost solely on your undergrad GPA, which is excellent. So a win for you in this case!
Good luck!
Nasharra says
I’m wondering if I should write a GPA Aaddenda . My GPA is a 2.57 from LSAC (2.67 non-LSAC) but i was a biology major at the beginning of college so i had a lot of C’s, D’s and a few F’s that i didn’t retake upon changing my major due to no longer needing the classes as well as dual credit i took in high school . I do have a masters degree with a 3.69 GPA. So is this something i should explain ?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Nasharra,
This is a tough question to answer, in part because how you execute an addendum here and what you say will fully determine the impact. and that impact could be good or bad. On the one hand, you are drawing attention to a negative, but this is also a negative that likely needs explaining. That’s a point for writing one. That said, you need to have a good explanation for what happened aside from the classes didn’t interest (because “what if law doesn’t interest you?” is what the schools will think). Schools will expect a compelling explanation for low grades, and that can be very difficult when there are multiple low grades like this. So that’s a point against writing one.
Overall, I think it needs explaining but you need to do an excellent and engaging job of telling the law schools why they should downplay your GPA. That should be your focus.
Good luck!
Rebecca says
Hi! Thanks for this post. I think I have a solid undergrad gpa- 3.7-from an Ivy League school and I’m currently in a grad program with a 4.0 average. I’m taking the LSAT in a week and, although I can’t fully predict what I’m going to get (hoping for the best!) I’ve been consistently scoring about 8 points below what I think I need to be comfortably in the range of my top school. Do you think they would appreciate and addendum to explain that I’ve been studying for the LSAT while also fully enrolled in a graduate program and teaching? Or is that too much of an excuse?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Rebecca!
While the answer here will really depend on your LSAT score, working while being enrolled in school full-time will not be seen as an extenuating circumstance and may instead reflect poorly on your time management skills. If your LSAT score does turn out to be relatively low compared to your GPA, it may be best to explain why your GPA is a better reflection of your academic abilities and indicator of you being successful in law school. For example, you could point out substantial research and writing experiences you gained during your time in undergraduate and graduate school.
Thank you!