help with my addendum Forum

[bulldoglaw]

Hi users,

I was wondering if I could get some feedback on my addendum. I am writing it because on my transcripts I have one F (retaken and replaced with an "A"), one D (retaken and replaced with a "B") and one Withdrawal (not replaced).

I got the D because it was a really difficult Honors Biology class in my first semester of college.

I got the F because the teacher was vulgar, offensive, and told racy jokes in class daily. I tried to enroll in another section, but all other sections were full. So I just stopped going to class, retook, and got an A.

The W was received in a dancing class. I contracted mono and was unable to attend class for four sessions, which per the instructor's grading policy would result in a failing grade.

Do you think these are appropriate explanations for the three grades? Or would I better be served simply leaving them be?

[bulldoglaw]

Also, please tell me what you think of this small section of my addendum:

"I am very pleased with my Grade Point Average and LSAT score; however, I feel the Admissions Committee should view my marks with the understanding that they were received while working full-time from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM five days per week for three years of my undergraduate study. Daily, I went to school without any sleep the night before. My LSAT preparation was done in conjunction with this full-time employment and part-time work as an unpaid intern."

[89vision]

Also, please tell me what you think of this small section of my addendum:

" Daily, I went to school without any sleep the night before.

I wouldn't put that. If you went to school daily without sleep, you would be dead.

I don't think you should say anything about your sleep deprivation unless you have a medical condition. I think most college students have experienced sleep deprivation, and many have experienced regular sleep deprivation. The addendum kind of sounds like you are making excuses. The first post was a better explanation, minus blaming the Professor for the "F." Also, a lot of students work while in school. I worked two jobs, one full-time, one part-time, during the summer while studying, so I don't think your explanation is exceptional or unique. I think addendum's are used for a rare circumstance.

[hyakku]

I'm no expert, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but from all the searches I've done, addendums should be short and shouldn't shift blame at all. They should either explain, or suggest that YOU belief this may have done something, but not blame it. I'd also remove that part about the job that way, or try to make it be seen as a positive, because while I was considering adding something similar, thats no excuse for a low GPA; I know people working even more than I do (and I work alot), with ECs out the ass, a great GPA and have done unpaid internships.

Just as an example, my addendum is for an F I had freshmen year and low grades from a hernia I had. I didn't know what it was at the time and around finals my freshmen year was the first time it started cropping up. Missed one final completely, missed a few tests/hw in other classes, but I couldn't do anything about it because I didn't have a legitimate excuse (I was even awake for the exam I missed, but without having medical documentation at the time all I could do was just say my stomach felt weird, especially because my hernia kept going away for a while so I couldn't even show doctors). Got surgery done freshmen year. Mine reads something like (don't have it on me, at work):

In my freshmen year I tore my abdomen and suffered an ingunial hernia, resulting in me missing classes and a receiving an F in one class for mising a final exam. Lacking insurance or funds to be operated on, I was unable to be diagnosed until my first semester sophomore year, when I promptly had surgery. I believe that this contributed to lowering my freshmen year GPA to a X.X and harmed my first semester sophomore year grades. I feel that my later grade of an 'A' in the same class, rising GPA while managing two majors and a job, along with my LSAT scores more accurately reflect my abilities.

From the advice I've read here, the goal is just to explain and tell them that YOU feel this may have affected you, but let them decide whether it's legitimate or not. Don't include other excuses or what you may think is legitimate, allow them to decide. I could be wrong though, let someone else comment.

[bp shinners]

I'd definitely avoid writing an addendum that blames a hard class/bad professor for those grades. Law school classes are hard - why should the school believe you'll do better in them than biology? Also, blaming the professor for your bad decision to skip class (not saying that's what it is, but that's how it will be viewed) will not be received well.

However, if you needed to work full time during undergrad to pay for your education, that's something the schools will want to know. So limit your addendum to that.