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GPA Addendum for Downward Trend/High Course Load?

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 5:41 pm
by jfalconf
LSAC GPA 3.62

Year 1 3.82
Year 2 4.0
Year 3 3.66
Year 4 3.18

Graduated with dual degrees in the humanities and social sciences from State University. Was on a four year scholarship and took twenty-two hours each of final three Semesters in order to finish both degrees in the four years. Was additionally completing Honors Thesis final year.

Applying to top schools w/ 99th percentile LSAT, is it worth writing an addendum pointing out the high course load/Honors Thesis final year or should this be pretty obvious? Is it worth it just to have a chance to say that I was on four year scholarship and didn't just take 22 hours a semester out of insanity/masochism/hubris? How much worse am I off than if I had the same GPA and an upward trend?

I appreciate any input!

Re: GPA Addendum for Downward Trend/High Course Load?

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 7:26 pm
by 20141023
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Re: GPA Addendum for Downward Trend/High Course Load?

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 10:55 pm
by Ti Malice
This isn't an addendum-worthy situation. They can read your transcript, and nothing you say is going to change the value they assign to your GPA. Some would probably think to themselves, "No one forced you to do two degrees."

Re: GPA Addendum for Downward Trend/High Course Load?

Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:37 pm
by bp shinners
Ti Malice wrote:This isn't an addendum-worthy situation. They can read your transcript, and nothing you say is going to change the value they assign to your GPA. Some would probably think to themselves, "No one forced you to do two degrees."
Or, "So you buckle under pressure and a large workload?"* I'm with the others - no addendum here.

*Not saying this is true about you; just that it could come across that way, which is worse than just having the hit to your GPA.

Re: GPA Addendum for Downward Trend/High Course Load?

Posted: Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:33 pm
by jfalconf
Ok, no addendum. Thanks for the input!