. Forum

[kenwash]

EDITED: I increased my LSAT score. I attribute my improvement to studying differently...I took a course instead of studying on my own. For schools that require an addendum for large increases, what's the best way to explain my improvement? How will my "studying differently" explanation be viewed? For schools that do not require an addendum, should I provide one anyways?

[pin_s]

If I were in your position (a great one to be, btw), I would tie the point increase to some greater personal change that you experienced in between your initial and current scores. Discuss a lack of commitment due to your reservations about attending law school, and then explain how over time you developed an authentic interest which allowed you to study more effectively and take the lsat a bit more seriously. I always think statements revealing some sort of positive transformation are compelling, allowing you to remedy potential blemishes while showcasing current strengths. If you feel like your addendum is strong/well written, I would send it to all the schools that you apply to.

[TheSpanishMain]

I honestly doubt it needs to be more complicated than "I believed that my first two scores did not reflect my true potential, and reviewed my study habits. Being more familiar with the test and studying more effectively allowed me to attain a score that is more indicative of my potential." Rough first cut, but you get the idea.

I think all they want to know is if you had appendicitis during your first test or something. You really don't need to write about personal transformations or anything. I don't think anyone is really going to care. They're just going to see that 169.

[johngreen]

I increased my LSAT score 15 points (154 to 159 to 169). I attribute my improvement to studying differently...I took a course instead of studying on my own. For schools that require an addendum for large increases, what's the best way to explain my improvement? How will my "studying differently" explanation be viewed? For schools that do not require an addendum, should I provide one anyways?

The addenda is necessary. I would explain fully with all details why your score improved

[Paul Campos]

This is an all-purpose reply, for lots of questions that get asked on this forum.

Law schools are desperate for well-qualified applicants right now. This to some greater or lesser extent includes every school south of Harvard.

The italicized sentence essentially answers the following questions, and many many more:

(1) "How should I explain the increase in my LSAT score?"

(2) "Should I have an interests section on my resume?"

(3) "Is it OK to have a rec letter from X as opposed to Y?"

(4) "How should I explain why I withdrew after being accepted at a school that I'm applying to again?"

(5) "Will schools care that I got a MIP when I was 19?"

(6) "Does taking the LSAT in December hurt my chances?"

Etc etc etc

The answer to all such questions is, it doesn't matter*


*Above does not necessarily apply to Yale#

#You're not getting into Yale

[Ti Malice]

If I were in your position (a great one to be, btw), I would tie the point increase to some greater personal change that you experienced in between your initial and current scores. Discuss a lack of commitment due to your reservations about attending law school, and then explain how over time you developed an authentic interest which allowed you to study more effectively and take the lsat a bit more seriously. I always think statements revealing some sort of positive transformation are compelling, allowing you to remedy potential blemishes while showcasing current strengths. If you feel like your addendum is strong/well written, I would send it to all the schools that you apply to.

Definitely do not do this.

The addenda is necessary.

No, it isn't.

[wtrc]

What Campos said. Always what Campos says.

[mephistopheles]

if anything, just say you were sick on the first take.

[Nonconsecutive]

What Campos said. Always what Campos says.

[bouleversement]

You're not getting into Yale

Not arguing the point but man that was kind of harsh, eh?

[Clearly]

I didn't write one at all with a twelve point increase. Would recommend.

[altoid99]

I didn't write one at all with a twelve point increase. Would recommend.

Would recommend writing one?

[rinkrat19]

If I were in your position (a great one to be, btw), I would tie the point increase to some greater personal change that you experienced in between your initial and current scores. Discuss a lack of commitment due to your reservations about attending law school, and then explain how over time you developed an authentic interest which allowed you to study more effectively and take the lsat a bit more seriously. I always think statements revealing some sort of positive transformation are compelling, allowing you to remedy potential blemishes while showcasing current strengths. If you feel like your addendum is strong/well written, I would send it to all the schools that you apply to.

For the love of god, don't do this. It will make you look crazy.

If an application specifically wants an addendum, or if it'll just make you feel better, write one like TheSpanishMain suggested.

[Clearly]

I didn't write one at all with a twelve point increase. Would recommend.

Would recommend writing one?

I meant would recommend not writing, sorry for ambiguity. This is a case where I don't think it really makes a difference either way. The point of an addendum is ultimately to try to stop them from assuming the worst about a negative part of the app. From an lsat perspective,the worst assumption they can make about a score jump is they didn't take it as serious as they should, or they went about studying wrong. In this case, the explanation presented is basically the same as the worst they could assume. If the reason was more unexpected, I'd say write it, but here I don't think it matters.

[longlivetheking]

This is an all-purpose reply, for lots of questions that get asked on this forum.

Law schools are desperate for well-qualified applicants right now. This to some greater or lesser extent includes every school south of Harvard.

The italicized sentence essentially answers the following questions, and many many more:

(1) "How should I explain the increase in my LSAT score?"

(2) "Should I have an interests section on my resume?"

(3) "Is it OK to have a rec letter from X as opposed to Y?"

(4) "How should I explain why I withdrew after being accepted at a school that I'm applying to again?"

(5) "Will schools care that I got a MIP when I was 19?"

(6) "Does taking the LSAT in December hurt my chances?"

Etc etc etc

The answer to all such questions is, it doesn't matter*


*Above does not necessarily apply to Yale#

#You're not getting into Yale

this made me LOL so hard.