Addendum- Justified excuse for low LSAT score? Forum

[hle413]

deleted.

[loblaw]

You're in a tough position. I wrote a very concise LSAT addendum, and I can say at least it did not hurt me. You must do it extremely succinctly without sounding like you are throwing a pity party or saying anything that would lead the adcomms to question your fitness for law school

I would be remiss if I did not say that a much better option would be to get a school to sponsor you for another retake.

[Sandro]

Why do you need an addendum ? Any school that will take a 153 wont care about 2 lower scores, as far as I know.

[hle413]

I'm afraid that schools will look down on my app because my score actually dropped the second time I took it.

[HOPEFORCHANGE]

I would write the addendum, it couldn't hurt. I would definitely go into detail a bit more about why it impacted your score. I was ill for the February exam so I didn't take it because I was afraid my score would drop because I wasn't feeling right. I just sent a simple letter to all three explaining my absence. Unfortunately, all of the schools haven't decided on me yet, so I can't tell you how that went. I scored a 159 in December and I prepped as hard as I could, but my mother had passed away from cancer in July so it was the best I could do now. I didn't not explain that in an addendum; however, my PS was on my mother's illness/death. Anyway, point is, you need to make the adcomm believe you that you dropped because you were too distracted for good reasons and didn't just refuse to suck it up or are trying to make excuses. I'd write it and then post it so people can read.

[gothamm]

omfg. You guys are so stupid. Obvious troll.

[hle413]

I would write the addendum, it couldn't hurt. I would definitely go into detail a bit more about why it impacted your score. I was ill for the February exam so I didn't take it because I was afraid my score would drop because I wasn't feeling right. I just sent a simple letter to all three explaining my absence. Unfortunately, all of the schools haven't decided on me yet, so I can't tell you how that went. I scored a 159 in December and I prepped as hard as I could, but my mother had passed away from cancer in July so it was the best I could do now. I didn't not explain that in an addendum; however, my PS was on my mother's illness/death. Anyway, point is, you need to make the adcomm believe you that you dropped because you were too distracted for good reasons and didn't just refuse to suck it up or are trying to make excuses. I'd write it and then post it so people can read.

Wow. Im sorry to hear that. My condolences. I basically wrote out a letter merely stating the facts and that my obligation to my family during this period in my life was very important and my performance on the LSAT suffered as a result.

[tehrocstar]

If you're fresh out of undergrad or still in undergrad, just wait the 1-2 years and take the exam when you're better able to handle your situation. I believe you can only take 3 exams within a 2 year period.

Because an employer wouldn't excuse a poor performance on the job due to those circumstances, and it's unlikely that a law school would do the same. My condolences for your situation.

[bp shinners]

Wow. Im sorry to hear that. My condolences. I basically wrote out a letter merely stating the facts and that my obligation to my family during this period in my life was very important and my performance on the LSAT suffered as a result.

Make sure to also talk about why the family obligations won't affect your performance in law school. Has your family dealt with the issue? Gone to counseling? Include something to show the school that you won't have lingering issues, preventing you from doing well in law school.

[HOPEFORCHANGE]

I just got admitted to one school today, so obviously my letter regarding my February was absence wasn't taken too badly.

[99.9luft]

Option 1:

If you're fresh out of undergrad or still in undergrad, just wait the 1-2 years and take the exam when you're better able to handle your situation. I believe you can only take 3 exams within a 2 year period.

Option 2:

Study more, study smarter. When you raise your score by at least 10 points, get a special permission from any school you are going to apply to to take the LSAT for the 4th time. Good luck!