Addendum re: experience with legal system, appropriate? Forum

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sdp001

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Addendum re: experience with legal system, appropriate?

Post by sdp001 » Thu Jul 03, 2014 12:37 pm

I"m wondering whether it would be appropriate to include an addendum that describes my experiences with the legal system? My personal statement (as it stands right now - I'm only on the 5th or 6th version!) explains why as a non-traditional student (mid-nineties grad from college) I've decided to become a lawyer, and references that I've seen firsthand how lawyers can help people and advance causes they believe in.

Is it worth an addendum to flesh that out? I'd briefly explain that I've been both a plaintiff and defendant in civil cases (won both times), and used to run a nonprofit organization that engaged in public interest law, filing amicus briefs and representing people in court on our issue. Fortunately, none of my experiences with the law involve getting read my Miranda rights :D

Anybody think this strengthens my case, shows that I'm familiar enough with the legal profession to have made a reasoned judgement to shift my career into law?

EDIT: If it matters, I'll also be submitting an addendum to explain my 'middling at best' GPA, and possibly a 'Diversity Statement' for being an oldster (I'm told that counts as diversity?).

03152016

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Re: Addendum re: experience with legal system, appropriate?

Post by 03152016 » Sat Jul 05, 2014 2:34 am

why would that be separate from your ps
sounds like they're both addressing the same thing
answering 'why law' with your personal experiences
no addendum needed here imo

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A. Nony Mouse

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Re: Addendum re: experience with legal system, appropriate?

Post by A. Nony Mouse » Sat Jul 05, 2014 2:44 am

Addenda aren't really to flesh out your PS - they're to explain very specific things about your application (GPA, multiple LSATS, C&F issues). A diversity statement is more a variation on a PS than an addendum. What you suggest here as an addendum just seems like more detail for your PS, which isn't really the point. Write a PS that covers whatever you want your addendum to address - as Brut said, they sound like the same topic.

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