why x essays, diversity addendums, score addendums Forum

[lushka]

Hi
in addition to my ps i may be sending in addendu, about a lower lsat score

Question: i was told that writing a why x essay (even if not asked for one) can help ones chances, showing sincere interest etc
i also plan on writing a diversity statement

is it going to be too much to send in a ps, score addendum, diversity statement and a why x if so which would you cut out

[bk1]

If they allow for it, send it. As long as you aren't doing something like submitting all optional essays when they ask for a max of 2, it won't matter.

Also, don't expect them to significantly help your application. But you still might as well send them.

[merichard87]

Just don't pull some excuse out of your ass for the addendum. Make sure you have a legit reason why you feel your score is not representative of your abilities, i.e. history of performing badly, never exposed to standardized test before, illness etc etc

[TOMaHULK]

If I took the test 3 times, with my score increasing each time, and the last time I took it having a sificient increase...should I write an addendum, or least let my score speak for itself (note: in the lsat score report, it lists all my scores)?

Also, since schools generally require an LSAT within 5 years, and my earliest score is 5 years ago, will this drop off of my score report, or always been there-merely not acceptable for application?

[bk1]

The conventional wisdom is not to write an LSAT addendum unless there were circumstances that actually mattered (i.e. death in the family, serious illness, etc), not something like "I just got better at the test" or "I didn't study hard enough the first time." However, some schools require an LSAT addendum depending upon your scores so look into the application requirements for each school. Unless you have a good reason for one or more of your LSAT's being low or the school requires you write one based on your circumstances (like having one score 7+ points above another), then avoid writing one.