Addendum for unorthodox UG record???

[E3to]

edit

[sendreamson]

While those stats would traditionally give an applicant a solid shot at the target schools, I am not sure how your particular UG record would be viewed. It may be limited, but there is also an upward GPA trend. My sense is that those factors might be a wash and schools will just focus on the GPA number, especially given your LSAT. In any case, you should use the addendum to explain the withdrawal.

thoughts?

[JamMasterJ]

you'll want to write an addendum because most schools require one for time taken off from school. I'd do diversity statement though, if it can be compelling and original. Don't focus as much on the poorer early grades

[ladybug89]

yeah, i think you still have a great shot at CCN (even greater shot at MVP). But definitely use your addendum to explain the withdrawal as well as the fact that you were working full time your first two semesters, as that clearly had an impact on your grades. just be careful to adopt a neutral sort of tone so as not to sound like you're making excuses.

[jbaugh]

Congrats on the LSAT score, no reason to jeopardize your shot at T10 by forgoing the addendum. The hours and course selection issue is a secondary concern, but it is plausible that an admissions committee would question academic inconsistency. I strongly recommend that you include an addendum with a broader focus about financial challenges, etc you likely have experienced.

Maybe others can, but I cannot say anything conclusive about what effect this would have on how adcoms view your UG. It certainly seems tough to use it as an indicator of how you would perform in law school.

[AffordablePrep]

I think you absolutely should include an addendum about this.

Your first few semesters are not awful, but I'd assume you were immature at the start.

If you were employed, I think it suggests that based on track record, "Not only did this kid overcome some socioeconomic adversity, but if he can just focus on law school, he may do very well."

[E3to]

Thank you all for the feedback. If there is anyone else who has been through a similar situation, please get in touch - would love to hear your story.

[anewaphorist]

Took a semester off from UG to help mother rehab from surgery. I'll definitely include an addendum for Harvard, Penn, and Georgetown (which require one for answering "Yes" to that question). But I'm debating whether I should include one for schools that don't explicitly request one for answering "Yes" to the question about taking "one semester or more off from coursework." Technically, it was even less than a semester, since I completed the first 6 weeks of classes before withdrawing to go home for the rehab and re-enrolled at a new school the following semester. Any thoughts?

[madvillain]

Had a somewhat similar record, 3.27 freshman year and 4.2 afterwards. At first I didn't put an addendum in any of my apps because my low LSAC gpa was entirely due to an "incomplete" pass/fail class which I stopped going to and neglected to drop. And I didn't have extraneous circumstances or whatnot. But then I got an email from one of the schools I was applying to asking for more information regarding the fail grade; after I gave the explanation the dean was satisfied and ended up accepting me. So I ended up submitting an addendum for all the schools I could. I think it is a good idea to send one in, it doesn't seem to have any negative effects anyway, and best case scenario you will assuage their concerns.

[ladybug89]

Took a semester off from UG to help mother rehab from surgery. I'll definitely include an addendum for Harvard, Penn, and Georgetown (which require one for answering "Yes" to that question). But I'm debating whether I should include one for schools that don't explicitly request one for answering "Yes" to the question about taking "one semester or more off from coursework." Technically, it was even less than a semester, since I completed the first 6 weeks of classes before withdrawing to go home for the rehab and re-enrolled at a new school the following semester. Any thoughts?

just do it. as long as it's worded correctly - won't hurt, might help.

[Tom Joad]

Had a somewhat similar record, 3.27 freshman year and 4.2 afterwards.

Manvillainy, that is a real buzzkill.

[quiver]

just do it. as long as it's worded correctly - won't hurt, might help.

This.

[jbaugh]

Thank you all for the feedback. If there is anyone else who has been through a similar situation, please get in touch - would love to hear your story.

1L at T6 - one my classmates overcame a tough UG experience and is now here with $$. Just want to let you know it is possible, best of luck.