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So my LSAC gpa is a 3.05. Quite low to have a good chance to get in to a top 20 or 30 school, but my one and only LSAT June 10 is 166. I was extremely uninterested in college studies due to having no direction and being immature. Basically, I hadn't found anything that interested me and I was too apathetic to hammer down on it anyways. I am likely facing the consequences soon enough, but am considering an attempt at damage control. In the 2+ years since, I have been lucky enough to work as a paralegal in public service with the federal gov't. This job has inspired me, given me some great experience in litigation, and helped me to mature/find something to focus on that I enjoy.
I feel I only have one shot at getting into a top notch (by my standards t25) school, and am considering writing a no excuses gpa addendum clearly stating that I've matured and my ugpa is not representative of my academic capabilities. I am quite desperate to try and minimize my gpa by any means possible. Thoughts anyone? I feel this wouldn't be a bad idea if executed correctly, but am obviously unsure.

I doubt it would help and most likely would still seem like you are trying to make excuses. Let your other stats (LSAT, w/e, etc) show that you have matured and the schools will make a decision based on that.

If you think you could do better on an LSAT retake though, I would recommend that.

You'd have to write it for us to tell. It's very easy to come off lazy in that kind of addendum.

An addendum that makes excuses is the best kind of addendum, provided the excuses are legitimate (e.g. "my parents were murdered by banditos my sophomore year", "I was diagnosed with AIDS and cancer simultaneously", "I had to work 80 hours a week to pay for insulin after 9/11 destroyed my pancreas"). Your addendum provides an explanation that supports an image most addenda are designed to disspell, which is a general lack of direction, dedication, or hard work. Don't bank on your addendum providing any bump to your applications.

blowhard wrote:You'd have to write it for us to tell. It's very easy to come off lazy in that kind of addendum.

I appreciate the response, and I guess part of the problem is that I was lazy. Trying to figure out if owning it might get me any points.

JakeL wrote:

blowhard wrote:You'd have to write it for us to tell. It's very easy to come off lazy in that kind of addendum.

I appreciate the response, and I guess part of the problem is that I was lazy. Trying to figure out if owning it might get me any points.

I doubt it.