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My situation is as follows:
During my 2nd year of college I suffered an injury which required re-constructive surgery on my right knee. It was right before the withdraw date of the community college I was attending at the time, stupidly I delayed surgery and withdrew from only 3 of the 5 classes I was enrolled for the semester. For the most part I was immobile and had C.C. professors that were making NO accommodations except telling me, "I should have withdrew" I failed the 2 classes I did not withdraw. The following semester was filled with physical therapy and I ended up getting a 2.0 for the semester. This year was not a good year at all for me and it really destroyed my GPA. After this year however I transfered to a University taking all upper level courses and while not stellar my GPA in all senior (4000+) classes averages to a 3.1

Could I write a viable explanation explaining that I am a better student than my LSAC GPA (2.61) entails, or do they simply not give a shit?

Thanks for the insight guys.

Not an expert on the issue, but this definitely sounds like a good reason over which to write an addendum. If this doesn't cut it for worthy of addendum, then holy shit.

This is a great reason for an addendum. Nice job getting back on track.

Good to know, thanks guys thought I was SOL for a minute there hopefully a strong LSAT score can support my claim as being a better student than my GPA indicated as well.

arean.ryan wrote:Good to know, thanks guys thought I was SOL for a minute there hopefully a strong LSAT score can support my claim as being a better student than my GPA indicated as well.

Your addendum is legitimate but you are likely still screwed if you don't a top-notch LSAT.

bk187 wrote:

arean.ryan wrote:Good to know, thanks guys thought I was SOL for a minute there hopefully a strong LSAT score can support my claim as being a better student than my GPA indicated as well.

Your addendum is legitimate but you are likely still screwed if you don't a top-notch LSAT.

Define "screwed" and "top-notch" please

arean.ryan wrote:Define "screwed" and "top-notch" please

Screwed = Only being able to go to schools with bad job prospects

Top-notch = At least to deal with a 2.61 probably around 166+, ideally 170+

Your addendum would likely persuade some reviewers at schools with de facto 3.0 GPA floors to overlook your 2.6. However, since you were averaging only 3.1 during other semesters, you remain under the 25% mark for GPA pretty much anywhere even if an adcomm overlooks your 2.0 semester, which is clearly a stronger reflection of your circumstances than you intellect/work ethic. This means you still need to meet or exceed the LSAT median for any school to have a legitimate shot.

For how to write an addendum, I recommend reading this:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 22&t=86526

Why did you fail two classes ? Surgery & physical therapy often leaves a lot of time for studying. Were you unable to attend labs ?
Write an addendum explaining your situation & hope that it helps.

I really appreciate the insight guys, thanks a lot...I've been studying around 4 hours a day since August 17th, for the Oct. 9, I plan on getting a tutor as well. I am aiming for a 160+, I know I'm not gonna be able to get into the best schools in the nation..but I hope for something in the Top 100.

Before writing your addendum consider whether you plan to accept responsibility for the two failing grades or whether you plan to rely on stating that factors beyond your control affected your school performance.

CanadianWolf wrote:Do you plan to accept responsibility for the two failing grades or do you plan to rely on stating that factors beyond your control affected your school performance ?

I was thinking of this actually before I opened the topic again.

"I will admit that no excuse will account for a GPA that ultimately resulted from decisions I made in my academic career. I must and will take direct responsibility for poor decisions and performance. However, I do feel that my academic records in the latter stages of my undergrad are a more directive reflection of the type of student I am and plan to be at your respected law school."

arean.ryan wrote:

CanadianWolf wrote:Do you plan to accept responsibility for the two failing grades or do you plan to rely on stating that factors beyond your control affected your school performance ?

I was thinking of this actually before I opened the topic again.

"I will admit that no excuse will account for a GPA that ultimately resulted from decisions I made in my academic career. I must and will take direct responsibility for poor decisions and performance. However, I do feel that my academic records in the latter stages of my undergrad are a more directive reflection of the type of student I am and plan to be at your respected law school."

Too long a start, imo. More brevity.

The more I learn about adcomms, the more I believe that you have to get a solid LSAT score. Your addendum may be legitimate, but if you are applying to a school that is concerned about their reportable medians, they will want to see a high LSAT to compensate for a low GPA. I think the (general) rule is if your GPA is below the 25th, your LSAT should be at or above the 75th to compensate.

I would spend all my time preparing for the LSAT at this point... aim high and crack that 160, try for a score in the low to mid-160's.

Good luck!

bk187 wrote:

arean.ryan wrote:Define "screwed" and "top-notch" please

Screwed = Only being able to go to schools with bad job prospects

Top-notch = At least to deal with a 2.61 probably around 166+, ideally 170+

Screwed = Not getting to brag about going to a T14 school