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Character and fitness statement?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:44 pm
by neuroticjew
In LSAC's application format, one of the character & fitness questions is whether you ever had to take time off from undergrad for any reason. I did, but only because my parents moved (I was 17 so had to move with them) out-of-state. Most law schools request that you write an explanatory essay if you answered yes to any C&F question. All other C&F questions seem to be about ethics and discipline so I'm worried that even my needing to write an essay on the subject will count against me; that adcomms will assume without reading that I was put on probation or the like. I'm looking almost entirely at T14 schools so might they be even harsher on those who need to fill out a C&F essay, even this completely innocuous one? (I'm planning to explain truthfully that my parents and I moved from Illinois to Georgia and I spent that "gap" year working on campaigns, filling out transfer applications, working, and self-educating.)
Or is this really not a big deal at all?
Re: Character and fitness statement?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:45 pm
by JamMasterJ
I had to write one about a miscommunication that led to chapel probation. trust me, you'll be fine. Write it, but they won't care
Re: Character and fitness statement?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:48 pm
by RTFM
This seems like a non-issue. They are not going to see the box checked and assume the worst--that's why they ask for explanation.
FYI, it's not really clear why you had to change schools just because you moved.
Re: Character and fitness statement?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:56 pm
by neuroticjew
RTFM wrote:This seems like a non-issue. They are not going to see the box checked and assume the worst--that's why they ask for explanation.
FYI, it's not really clear why you had to change schools just because you moved.
I was going to a private university where my dad taught, so tuition was free. After he left his teaching position I would have had to pay full tuition and that was obviously not financially doable.
Re: Character and fitness statement?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:10 pm
by RTFM
neuroticjew wrote:RTFM wrote:This seems like a non-issue. They are not going to see the box checked and assume the worst--that's why they ask for explanation.
FYI, it's not really clear why you had to change schools just because you moved.
I was going to a private university where my dad taught, so tuition was free. After he left his teaching position I would have had to pay full tuition and that was obviously not financially doable.
Makes sense, just be sure that you're clear about why you switched!