Should I Write an Addendum? Forum

[Noguchi]

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[Eruannon]

I have no idea how much schools even look at your college transcript, but should I write an addendum to bring their attention to my GPA increase over my college years?

Here is the progression from freshman year to senior year? 3.1, 3.4, 3.65, 3.75

Is this being too nitpicky or do you think they will notice the progression from freshman to senior year when classes got increasingly difficult?

I would definitely send one to schools where your GPA is on the low end. If your GPA is fine for the school you are applying to, it is a toss up, do you draw more attention to low grades, when the school wouldn't have blinked at your cumulative to begin with? Something to think about.

[BarCliff]

I wouldn't. What are you going to say that they're not going to already know just from looking at your transcript? From what I've heard, they look for this kind of stuff regularly. Seems like it'd just be an annoyance if you wrote something about this

[cubswin]

Consult this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 22&t=86526

[vespertiliovir]

Consult this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 22&t=86526

That's code for no, btw.

[cortezrcrdo]

Writing an addendum in this case does not hurt. The purpose of the addendum is to describe an instance that you feel needs further clarification. In your particular case you have shown great improvement in your GPA. You can start by stating that the upward trend is indicative of your ability to perform in an academic setting and that your first initial grades where due to a factor(s). (Being this was the case). Remember, the Addendum does not have to be lengthy a paragraph is sufficient.

Regardless of the fact that they go through numerous law schools applications, you never want them guessing or inferring. This is your time to make things clear for the admission committee.

[Noguchi]

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[macattaq]

I would just write it. It couldn't hurt, and its what, maybe an additional paragraph or two more? Especially if your GPA is slightly below a school's accepted range, it could make the difference between getting in and not. Granted, the amount of actual assistance you get from it is hard to calculate and could be minuscule, but when you're weighing writing a few hundred words against an acceptance and the resulting shape of your legal career, doing the extra writing is nothing.

[Eruannon]

I would just write it. It couldn't hurt, and its what, maybe an additional paragraph or two more? Especially if your GPA is slightly below a school's accepted range, it could make the difference between getting in and not. Granted, the amount of actual assistance you get from it is hard to calculate and could be minuscule, but when you're weighing writing a few hundred words against an acceptance and the resulting shape of your legal career, doing the extra writing is nothing.

I think it also shows you take the school seriously which can't hurt.