Read This Please and Let me Know What You Think Forum

[Tigress]

Explanation of the LSAT Score


My performance on the LSAT was not at all due to an innate inability. On the contrary, it was entirely owed to my affliction with tuberculosis and the circumstances that followed therefrom. This bears explaining here because I was truly unable on account of these extenuating circumstances to properly study for the LSAT.
Tuberculosis is not an easy disease; it almost claimed my life. I could not eat, breathe or take two steps without fainting. I gave up reading and writing (two basic survival skills of mine) because I could not hold a book without it falling from my hands, let alone read and understand its contents. I was terribly feverish all the time and came to irrevocably lose almost half of my lung capacity. I was in such physical and mental anguish that the doctor put me on strong sedatives that induced a semi-comatose state. It was simply impossible, given this vegetative condition, to study for the LSAT. It took me over a year to fully heal.
When I finally recovered, my time to go to the United States was under a month away. As my trip was required due to a scholarship granted by the Saudi government, I had to either abide by their timeline or lose the scholarship. As a consequence, I sat for the LSAT without studying for it. During the test, I became literally paralyzed by the beginning of the third section. My muscles were still very weak and my nerves and physical stamina were not yet ready to handle the prolonged pressure of the LSAT. I gazed in helplessness at the test, not knowing what to do to finish it. After the exam, I hurried back home to cancel my score but I stopped myself from doing so. My stay in the United States needed to be valid, being on a student visa, and I could not for the life of me return to Saudi and then come back here again at a later date because I could not afford it. I spent all of my own money coming here because nobody would support me and my goals. So, I applied to Valparaiso University School of Law and was admitted. Once there, I was advised by a friend not to re-take the LSAT and that my best bet if I wanted to transfer to Cornell Law School would be to focus on getting high grades. I was skeptical at first but as I read more about the transfer process, I realized that this is true and that to study for the LSAT and my law courses at the same time would divide my attention and defeat the purpose. Therefore, I resolved to do my absolute best to get top grades. I slept little, went out seldom and studied diligently every single day. It took tremendous discipline for me to resist going out with friends to explore the country. However, I consistently made the right choices and focused on my studies to bridge the conceptual gap between what is familiar to me back home and the legal system in this country. As time passed, I gained copious amounts of knowledge and familiarity and went from asking the most basic questions in the classroom to being a top student, engaging in elaborate discussions and developing positive relationships with my professors and colleagues.

Thanks a lot!

[stuckinthemiddle]

Huh? Why are you explaining your LSAT score when you're preparing to transfer? It doesn't matter.

And I wouldn't submit this. As much as I really do feel for you, this is overly dramatic and sounds a lot like whining.

[NYstate]

An addendum needs to be short and to the point.
Explain that you were ill. Explain that you have tuberculosis which sounds pretty serious. I would leave out any explanation of why you didn't cancel based on your need to remain in the US.

This is way too long and rambling. Maybe you can look around the forum for other example.

[NYstate]

Huh? Why are you explaining your LSAT score when you're preparing to transfer? It doesn't matter.

And I wouldn't submit this. As much as I really do feel for you, this is overly dramatic and sounds a lot like whining.

Agreed. I thought she was applying to Cornell not transferring.

OP: is there a reason you are explaining your LSAT? You know grades are what matters for transferring.

[Nova]

I wouldnt send an LSAT addendum for a transfer app. Your LSAT doesnt affect USNWR so schools dont really care. Although some schools do claim to care, they are probably bluffing.

I was skeptical at first but as I read more about the transfer process, I realized that this is true and that to study for the LSAT and my law courses at the same time would divide my attention and defeat the purpose. Therefore, I resolved to do my absolute best to get top grades.

I dont get it. You cant take the LSAT once you are in law school...

[PourMeTea]

Post removed.

[mehiguess]

I wouldnt send an LSAT addendum for a transfer app. Your LSAT doesnt affect USNWR so schools dont really care. Although some schools do claim to care, they are probably bluffing.

I was skeptical at first but as I read more about the transfer process, I realized that this is true and that to study for the LSAT and my law courses at the same time would divide my attention and defeat the purpose. Therefore, I resolved to do my absolute best to get top grades.

I dont get it. You cant take the LSAT once you are in law school...

The addendum, pointless given the circumstance, should be succinct and to the point. The addendum you wrote sounds is too dramatic, I thought I was reading a screenplay: "From LSAT to LSAD: Why I should have waited" starring Tigress. Clearly I'm being a dick, but yea just shorten it up for no reason because you didn't have to write.

[Icculus]

I wouldnt send an LSAT addendum for a transfer app. Your LSAT doesnt affect USNWR so schools dont really care. Although some schools do claim to care, they are probably bluffing.

I was skeptical at first but as I read more about the transfer process, I realized that this is true and that to study for the LSAT and my law courses at the same time would divide my attention and defeat the purpose. Therefore, I resolved to do my absolute best to get top grades.

I dont get it. You cant take the LSAT once you are in law school...

The addendum, pointless given the circumstance, should be succinct and to the point. The addendum you wrote sounds is too dramatic, I thought I was reading a screenplay: "From LSAT to LSAD: Why I should have waited" starring Tigress. Clearly I'm being a dick, but yea just shorten it up for no reason because you didn't have to write.

Given the forum, maybe this is OP's personal statement for transfer? That could also explain the length. If so, this is a terrible personal statement topic.

[Tigress]

Thank you guys. It is indeed pointless to explain the LSAT score. I am not submitting it.

[Nova]

good plan

[mehiguess]

Thank you guys. It is indeed pointless to explain the LSAT score. I am not submitting it.

well done

[jselson]

Thank you guys. It is indeed pointless to explain the LSAT score. I am not submitting it.

well done

[ChardPennington]

In my country, LSAT score must be strong like man who work plow, yes? If score is not strong, must make statement much touching, like eleemosynary leader of young boy. Chard's own statement was much describing long process of recovery after consume tainted goat's meat on father's farm, laid vomiting and reading Chekhov whilst being attended to by sturdy Soviet nursemaids with ankles wide as the oaks that grow upon shores of Great Caspian, yes?

Be clear, and state bold vision. I recall saying, As young boy in Mother Russia, attend UVA Law School on Early Decisions meant dream of American freedom!