Academic Addendum Forum

[mediation_86]

thanks

[MrAnon]

wayyyyy too much. 2 sentences for each issue, max. If you have the numbers, you are in. If you dont, you are out. Your past actions are what they are, stupid college actions. Hopefully you have moved on, but even if you have not, there is no point into going into excruciating detail about them.

[mediation_86]

thanks, ill try to cut i down

[glewz]

I have a academic probation, dual degree and a gpa uptrend addendum. let me know if these are sufficient.


Academic Probation Addendum:
In the fall quarter of 2006, my first year attending XXXX, I was placed on academic probation at the end of the quarter with a 1.85 gpa. I was pledging for a social fraternity at that time and it left me with little time for my studies, let alone myself. With less sleep and more stress than usual due to the commitment to the fraternity, I felt this affected my grades in a non-representative way of my academic abilities. In addition, getting used to the new environment also deterred my ability to do well academically. This is why after I was initiated and became a member of the fraternity, in the following quarter of winter 2007, I had the time needed to focus in school and do well. I immediately got off academic probation after the quarter of winter2007 with a 3.3 gpa and have never been on any academic disciplinary action ever since.

Dual Degree: It does not show on my LSAC transcript, but upon graduation I will have acquired both Bachelors of Science and Bachelors of Arts degrees. The B.S. degree is in Business of Administration with a concentration in Finance and the B.A. degree is in Political Science.

GPA uptrend:
Though my cumulative university GPA is 3.1835 and my LSAC GPA is 3.09, my last couple years in my university my GPA has been over 3.8. Furthermore, my B.A. major GPA is 3.95 and my finance concentration GPA is 3.5. A reason being for my weaker beginning quarters at XXXX may be due to the activity I was involved in my first quarter. I joined a fraternity my first quarter, first year at XXXX and throughout the pledging process, I had very little time to devote to my studies, let alone myself. Another factor is that, as with anybody, being exposed to a new environment must have been a situation that I may have had to adapt to. Moreover, not only was I maturing as a young adult, but I was also overcoming obstacles regarding my immature actions that resulted in my criminal record, which as now is expunged. With not only a new environment but also a fraternity I was devoted to and personal issues I was overcoming, these factors contributed to a weaker gpa throughout my first couple years at XXXX. I am certain that my recent academic performance is indicative of my true ability as a scholar. I have received three dean’s honor’s list in a row in the last year.

If I can spot the repeat in 1 read, they can too. (see above highlighted blue)

As a whole, your explanations are very verbose. I'm also thinking that the explanation of GPA due to social frat (partying?) does not seem very credible.

[mediation_86]

no it wasnt necessarily partying, the probation was due to pledging and the lower grades thereafter was because of the issue of my criminal case at that time.

Should I not include a addendum for gpa uptrend then? i do believe that personal issues led me to grades that are not indicative of my abilities. but if it sounds like I am making excuses to them, then I guess I should not include it

[jasonc.]

yeah i just read your ps. sad to say all these addendum(s) does weaken the overall package.

[mediation_86]

yeah i just read your ps. sad to say all these addendum(s) does weaken the overall package.

yeah, and thats not including my criminal addendum, oh well. But I feel as my academic probation is justifiable and my dual degree should have some beneficial impact.

[kitmitzi]

I don't think an upward grade trend addendum is necessary. Looking at your transcript it should be clear. Also, I would rephrase your first one. Do you have to say it's due to being in a frat? Can you say something about how you had trouble adjusting to college in a different way? Even if it wasn't partying, the adcomm isn't going to care if you couldn't study because you were locked in a basement covered in tar and feathers for the entire term.

Dual degree isn't really necessary because I'm not sure they will care.

[verklempt]

A dual degree shows academic vitality. That's a minor bump up. As for grades: anyone looking at the transcript can spot the trend, and will probably impute better reasons (homesickness, tough time adjusting to college freshman year) than you provide. Unless you have an absolutely legitimate reason for low grades (finances required you to work 30+ hours/week, illness -- yourself or family) you are better off not emphasizing them. If the application requires an explanation, then I would stick with something that doesn't sound as though you were too interested in partying and fraternities to study.

[glewz]

no it wasnt necessarily partying, the probation was due to pledging and the lower grades thereafter was because of the issue of my criminal case at that time.

Should I not include a addendum for gpa uptrend then? i do believe that personal issues led me to grades that are not indicative of my abilities. but if it sounds like I am making excuses to them, then I guess I should not include it

You don't need an addendum for a GPA uptrend - they have your scores Very Clearly in front of them.

You write an addendum to explain your bad grades&criminal case. Mentioning your dual degree (shortly) is fine.