Addenda**... Forum

[jrthor10]

So quick question. I am debating whether I need to write an academic addendum. Here is my basic story:

Went to a small LA school my freshman year of college, got good grades, and transferred to a top 20 university. I attended there my soph. year and then decided to take a semester off during the fall of my junior to work on a political campaign. I went back to the school I was last at, finished my junior and senior years, graduating on-time, with 7 total semesters of college work.

I have been told that transferring, taking time off, etc. usually requires an addendum on law school applications. However, I have now been out of school for a year, and I am applying to schools this fall (so I will have been out for two years by the time I start school in the fall of 2012). Is it still necessary work writing an addendum explaining my odd undergraduate academic path? Any thoughts are appreciated.

[sarahh]

You should look at each application and see what they say. If the application does not say that you need to explain a transfer, it probably is not necessary to write an addendum. I think schools will understand you transferred to have an opportunity to attend a better school. I would write a brief addendum to explain why you took off a semester. Don't make them wonder why you took off. It won't hurt you.

[anewaphorist]

Grammar fail, OP. The plural is 'addenda'. It's probably not a great idea to write one if it will include typos.

[Dany]

Grammar fail, OP. The plural is 'addenda'. It's probably not a great idea to write one if it will include typos.

Merriam-Webster has "addendums" listed as an acceptable alternative, and if you're not going to give any constructive advice, then go be an ass in the lounge instead.

OP- I've never heard about a school asking for a transfer addendum, but definitely check schools' admissions FAQ to see. Some will ask about an interruption of studies, and if they do, a short 2-3 sentence addendum explaining you took off time to work on the campaign will be fine. If schools don't explicitly require either, I wouldn't write one.