Addenda advice needed... Forum

[JurisDoctorate]

At first, I thought about incorporating addenda into my PS, so as not to bog down my application. However, I am really starting to consider the fact that adcomms read the PS first and then addenda are at the end; I am really just trying to get their experience down so I know how to properly present my story. Also, I am trying to walk the tight rope of addenda as I feel too many can bog down an app but not addressing some things can cause the reader to assume things that are worse than the actual story.

So, my thoughts on possible addenda are:

1. Explanation for jump in LSAT (if my October LSAT is low)
2. Explanation for a semester with 3 W's
3. Explanation for a semester with a W and an F
4. Explanation for semester off and year off during my undergrad

I feel these things have to be addressed in addenda (however, maybe the F doesn't need to be explained?). But I don't want to incorporate them into the PS, as these aren't strong positives and it could detract from my PS. I am also having a problem with succinctness. Again, each addendum should only be 4-6 sentences and you should really try to have no more than 3; is that right?

Thanks!

[JurisDoctorate]

Sorry, I forgot to ask about something.

Would I be better off with:

1. Explanation for jump in LSAT
2. Explanation for unrepresentative semesters (maybe a couple of paragraphs)
3. Explanation for breaks in undergrad

or

1. Explanation for jump in LSAT
2. Explanation for undergraduate (about a page)

Should I condense or are addenda that are too long, a taboo?

[cubswin]

If you have heard to limit yourself to 3, cut out the LSAT one.

[JurisDoctorate]

See, that's the problem, I have it in good confidence that I need to do the 3 W's, I would need to do the LSAT (if it's a significant jump) and I would need to explain the breaks; however, I might not need to do the F and the W in the semester.

[capitalacq]

dont do the LSAT one. if they need it, they'll ask you for it