Has anyone on here used an admissions consultant? Forum

[BillsFan9907]

If so, how much was it? Why exactly did you use one?

[071816]

Why the fuck would anyone do this?

[gbpackerbacker]

If so, how much was it?

People here can help you out just as much (but they won't write it for you), and for free...

[dakatz]

OP please tell me you are joking. An addendum is a one paragraph document in which you briefly and plainly tell them whatever excuse you might have. Why the hell would you pay money to do something that basic? If the reason is extenuating enough, then just say what it is and it will speak for itself. If you feel the need to dress it up, its probably not important enough to inform the school of in the first place.

[powerlawyer06]

The only reason someone would use a consulting service for an addendum is if they have something extremely serious on their academic/criminal record to explain.

Who did you kill?

[Cupidity]

This board can do anything that doesn't require a C&F lawyer. If you think you may need a C&F lawyer, contact one and not some stupid consultant.

[BillsFan9907]

I really wouldn't. Just curious.

[BillsFan9907]

[Cupidity]

These sound super-minor.


1) This sounds minor, a missing semester is no big deal, a few years require explanation. Don't even mention it.

2) Address this, explain the leave was medical, keep it short and sweet.

3) Don't address the W's. Once they see a 3.9 GPA they won't read any further especially if they are non-punitive.

Please contact me for bank account information so you can pay me what you were going to give to the consulting service.

[dakatz]

The "extremely minor" part says it all. An addendum is not a beautifully-crafted work of art and yours is borderline insignificant. In one short page, you can inform them of all three matters. Honestly, writing the addendum might hurt you more than help you. There is no need to explain a W on a perfect transcript. It is what it is and it wont hurt you anyway. The other 2 I guess could warrant a sentence or 2. But consulting for this? C'mon man. You are smarter than that.

[BillsFan9907]

thanks.

[dakatz]

Just nail the LSAT and you seal the deal. None of this will matter if you do well. I know you said you hope for a 175, but you gotta make it happen first. That's all you need to worry about, not this.

[BillsFan9907]

True man - thanks.

[txadv11]

Up until this point I was like, He must have killed or raped or something really bad. Then I read,

1. A hole in my transcript due to withdrawing from a study abroad program in the first week to pursue independent research throughout the region for my job.

2. A leave of absence from a graduate program for a transitory physical health reason.

3. Two non-punitive Ws my last semester on an otherwise nearly perfect transcript (3.98) GPA.

, do what they said above, you'll be fine.

[TaipeiMort]

I don't think adcomms care about the writing skills presented in addendums.

Also, I think it is a waste of money to pay anyone to critique a personal statement for two reasons:

First, if you have the requisite numbers, adcomms wont that much about your personal statement as long as you can write with correct grammar and spelling and tell a good story. I think anyone smart enough to get a 170+ LSAT score can also think of an interesting story to tell about themselves, and should also be able to write with good spelling and grammar.

Secondly, for those without the requisite numbers, you need a great soft to get in (ie. elite professional experience, Olympian, HYP, or a particular skin color). A consulting company can't give you this.

[AntipodeanPhil]

There is good evidence that admissions committees claim to care about / pay close attention to addendums, but actually don't. They claim to do so: (a) to increase applications; and (b) to present the right image. They wouldn't look good if they publicly admitted that they don't care about our various excuses for low numbers, et cetera. Of course, I'm sure there are some (limited) situations in which addendums help. In your case, I'm with everyone else: write one for reason 2 only. The other reasons don't seem significant. And surely the fewer you write, the more each one counts.