Addendum question Forum

[Anonymous User]

There is a gap between my completed coursework and my intended graduation date. This is due to an internship requirement I did not fulfill. When I was finishing my coursework, I was (unknowingly) sick. It took me about 8 months to figure out what was going on, but it turns out I have hyperthyroidism. Since getting on thyroid replacement, I feel much more like myself again. I am currently at a job that will fulfill the requirement I missed and I will confer my degree at the end of the school year. I'm just not quite sure how to approach the addendum. I know that the advice is to make it quick and painless, but I feel like it is worth explaining my struggle with finding a diagnosis, especially since it seems like most people don't really think hyperthyroid is a big deal. Having such a late diagnosis really impacted me, but I also don't want to sound like I am using it as an excuse. I'm just not at all sure what to do. Any advice?

[rinkrat19]

I don't know anyone who would say that hyperthyroidism isn't a big deal. At most they would say that once it's being treated properly, the person's life is pretty much normal. Which is true, right?

Write the addendum. It's a legitimate explanation for a transcript oddity. Don't make it hand-wringingly emotional or about your "struggle." Just state that it took X months for you and your doctors to recognize that the symptoms that were affecting your work were serious and not improving, and for the condition to be diagnosed and treatment started.

And recognize that it won't make up for bad grades. At best, an addendum relieves an adcomm's fear that [whatever on your transcript you are explaining] happened because of [legit reason], not [bad reason like a crime spree, general immaturity, being a douchebag, etc.]. It keeps them from imagining the worst.

[Anonymous User]

I don't know anyone who would say that hyperthyroidism isn't a big deal. At most they would say that once it's being treated properly, the person's life is pretty much normal. Which is true, right?

Write the addendum. It's a legitimate explanation for a transcript oddity. Don't make it hand-wringingly emotional or about your "struggle." Just state that it took X months for you and your doctors to recognize that the symptoms that were affecting your work were serious and not improving, and for the condition to be diagnosed and treatment started.

And recognize that it won't make up for bad grades. At best, an addendum relieves an adcomm's fear that [whatever on your transcript you are explaining] happened because of [legit reason], not [bad reason like a crime spree, general immaturity, being a douchebag, etc.]. It keeps them from imagining the worst.

Thanks for the feedback! I guess it just seems that people don't think it's serious to me because of some of the misconceptions I've dealt with. It might just be that I am sensitive to it. It's good to hear your perception. And yes, once properly treated it is totally manageable. Now that I'm on top of it, my life is no different from before except that I have to remember to take a pill once a day and get my scrip filled when I run out.

My grades were not impacted, so that is good. The main thing was that I failed to get enough hours on an internship, so even though I had all of my coursework completed I was not able to graduate. I tried to be pretty straightforward with the addendum. The most emotional thing that I write is:

"It was a scary time in my life, but not only due to an impending autoimmune disease. What alarmed me the most was the feeling that the busy, curious, and determined person I once was might never return."

And then I go on to explain that since taking thyroid replacement I am back to pursuing interests, community involvement, etc. Then I finish by saying that I am confident it will not impact my ability to thrive in law school.

[rinkrat19]

Leave that sentence out. It's completely unnecessary.

[rstahl]

Leave that sentence out. It's completely unnecessary.

This. It sounds too personal statement-y.