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As a splitter, is it foolish of me NOT to provide a GPA addendum when a school allows it? Penn, for example, has the following prompt:

"If you do not think that your academic record or standardized test scores accurately reflect your ability to succeed in law school, please tell us why."

Clearly, any sub 3.4ish splitter applying to law school doesn't think their undergrad GPA is indicative of their potential, but regardless of how I answer this question I'd feel like I was whining/making excuses. Part of me thinks that accepting my GPA as it is, letting it speak for itself but otherwise building a very good application (and having a good LSAT) is the best way to go. But another part me thinks that a school might find it odd if you didn't answer the question, and think that perhaps you're too complacent. Am I over-thinking this?

Bump

Do you have a good reason for the low GPA (e.g., deaths in family)? Yes, then write an addendum

Did you just jerk off and not focus on your studies? Then don't write an addendum.

Hawkeye Pierce wrote:Do you have a good reason for the low GPA (e.g., deaths in family)? Yes, then write an addendum

Did you just jerk off and not focus on your studies? Then don't write an addendum.

+1

Yeah, you are over-thinking this a bit. The GPA addendum thing is not the same as the WHY X essay that you're probably gonna need to do to get in. Not nearly everyone has a good reason for a crummy GPA, and you certainly should not bring undue attention to it unless you have a damn good reason to do so.

Good Reasons
-Mother died during 2nd semester, and I went through a rough patch for about a year (of course, your grades before and after would have to be much better)
-Serious undiagnosed illness harming your studies (and probably not ADD or Depression, but maybe, if it was bad. More definitely - as happened to a friend of mine - a brain tumor that interfered with cognitive ability and memory) that has since been corrected
-Something like crummy Fresh/soph grades, took time off to go to military or work, came back and kicked butt - write about how you're more mature and that what you learned from post-young idiocy experiences has gotten you much closer to your full potential

Bad Reasons
-I slacked off
-I didn't try in classes I didn't really care about
-I took really hard classes and am a triple major (they'll see that anyway)
-But I have an IQ of 177 bro

TLDR: They DO NOT want you to answer the question if you don't have a good reason for getting a low GPA. Do not throw them bullshit; that addendum is for serious things.