IS this topic appropriate ? LD and ADHD Forum

[TyrodTaylor]

IS it appropriate to write about things that have held you back, like some LD and ADHD. As I think about writing the essay with these topics as a back bone, I am finding it hard to stay away from making it sound like im making excuses for shortcomings, and even finding actual ways I have overcome these obstacles. I feel like they have hurt me, and if i didnt have them id be better, but i still came out okay.. what do I do? I dont really have much else to write about. I have some difficult things growing up, but i feel like it sounds whiny. Divorced parents, alcoholism, and LD i dont feel like seem that severe. I also am not very introspective. I tend to push away thinking about things that have held me abck and focus on strengths. so its hard to elaborate on them.

[TyrodTaylor]

any motivational advice, or a different perspective at looking at these problems would be helpful, I ham just stuck and dont see enough substance to write a whole essay

[rinkrat19]

If you want to write about issues that could affect your performance in LS (health problems, learning disabilities, etc.), you need to be able to present them in such a way that says "[this] is my issue. It has affected me negatively [in this way]. I overcame it [thusly]. I learned [this]. It is no longer an issue for me and I am better off for having had these struggles in my past, for they have prepared me for law school [in this way]."

If you can't frame it like that, the adcomms are going to think you haven't overcome it and it will continue affecting you in law school. Even for an issue that doesn't get 'cured' (like a LD), you need to be able to show that you've learned to deal with it.

[JoeShmoe11]

If you want to write about issues that could affect your performance in LS (health problems, learning disabilities, etc.), you need to be able to present them in such a way that says "[this] is my issue. It has affected me negatively [in this way]. I overcame it [thusly]. I learned [this]. It is no longer an issue for me and I am better off for having had these struggles in my past, for they have prepared me for law school [in this way]."

If you can't frame it like that, the adcomms are going to think you haven't overcome it and it will continue affecting you in law school. Even for an issue that doesn't get 'cured' (like a LD), you need to be able to show that you've learned to deal with it.

This is correct.

[LSATclincher]

Do not write about alcoholism/drug use unless you were convicted of a crime involving those things. I'd probably also avoid ADHD talk since it seems to be a bit overly-diagnosed nowadays. And divorced parents are not uncommon. But the LD story could be interesting. My guess is no applicant would be writing about that issue, so that alone should give you a unique advantage.

[TyrodTaylor]

i am not the alcoholic. the parent was

[Eponymous]

Writing about ADHD/LD is chancy. In fact, it is likely inadvisable. Might be a good topic for an undergrad essay, but is not necessarily a great topic for law school. (Just my opinion.)

Yes, you may have "overcome" or may have learned to compensate for these conditions. However, neither ADHD nor an LD is a "plus" for law school.

It seems to me (although this analogy is imperfect) that an emphasis on ADHD/LD is somewhat like writing an application for Juillard in which one emphasizes having been virtually tone-deaf, and having overcome that through voice lessons. Yes, yay, great that one has overcome such a difficulty -- nevertheless, anything other than an inborn sense of excellent pitch is not really a selling point for anyone who might want to be a professional singer.

I knew a guy (admittedly, only one, and also way back) who insisted on applying to medical school with a PS that talked about his ADHD, and how he did ever so well on tests if he was given time-and-a-half to complete the tests. He was advised against this PS, but he believed it showcased his ability to overcome adversity. Apparently, the medical schools (while they may have admired his gumption, in the abstract, who knows?) had plenty of other applicants who were also academically qualified, but who would not require extra time. "Extra time" is not an option in medical school, where study of even the basics already requires significant "extra time." The guy was rejected at every medical school to which he applied.

A tendency to ADHD/LD would not seem to be a selling point in a profession that requires precision, unrelenting focus on detail, and (simultaneously) an excellent grasp of abstractions and an ability to apply abstract concepts in a clever and nimble fashion.

Just my opinion. YMMV Good luck!

[TyrodTaylor]

thanks for the answers.

[WayBryson]

This might help you find some direction. Best of luck.

http://blogs.law.yale.edu/blogs/admissi ... rt-ii.aspx