A question of "mitigating circumstances" and where to apply
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 4:29 pm
Hi,
I'm new to the forum and I'm hopeful this holiday break people have a spare moment to help give me some direction.
I recently took the LSAT for the second time, the first being a year ago, and I'm confident I've improved my score significantly. The problem is, on paper, my application is going to look weak due to my undergrad GPA hovering at a 2.8. When I read advice online or on the actual applications about submitting explanations due to "mitigating circumstances" I'm left wondering what that means.
My second year of college (first quarter at my new school. I transferred) I was struck by a car while on campus. The result of which left me in the hospital with serious injuries including a concussion. Instead of taking time away from school I decided to continue because I was a student-athlete as well and missing school would have left me ineligible to compete the remainder of my college days. I was in and out of therapy for 3.5 years (physical, speech therapist, psychologist, neuropsych analysis programs that were 8 hours long) that ran parallel to my lawsuit against the company of the truck that hit me. The head injury was serious enough that I was placed on a temporary student disability program to help with note taking in my classes. I also had a final neuropsychologist review that stated I had lost a percentage of my cognitive ability due to the accident as well.
I'm wondering if this situation leaves me in a unique situation with my applications to certain schools. Will they care that I was able to maintain a decent GPA? Prior to my accident I was a 3.3 student for two quarters. I had ups and downs in quarters through the rest of my college. I was able to overcome my injuries to finish a decorated athlete with NCAA appearances and an All-American honor. I'm 3 years removed from undergrad at this point and my letters are from my attorney and two former coaches. My personal statement focuses on my overcoming the hardships in college to continue to be successful.
My question would be is that qualified as a "mitigating circumstance"? I'd like to attend a Tier 1 law school but I'm not sure which schools really look beyond the numbers. Thats my biggest concern is the fact my application comes in with a 2.8 and they immediately toss it into the trash. Where should I apply?
Any guidance will be appreciated. For what it's worth, I'm expecting at worst 160+ on my LSAT.
I'm new to the forum and I'm hopeful this holiday break people have a spare moment to help give me some direction.
I recently took the LSAT for the second time, the first being a year ago, and I'm confident I've improved my score significantly. The problem is, on paper, my application is going to look weak due to my undergrad GPA hovering at a 2.8. When I read advice online or on the actual applications about submitting explanations due to "mitigating circumstances" I'm left wondering what that means.
My second year of college (first quarter at my new school. I transferred) I was struck by a car while on campus. The result of which left me in the hospital with serious injuries including a concussion. Instead of taking time away from school I decided to continue because I was a student-athlete as well and missing school would have left me ineligible to compete the remainder of my college days. I was in and out of therapy for 3.5 years (physical, speech therapist, psychologist, neuropsych analysis programs that were 8 hours long) that ran parallel to my lawsuit against the company of the truck that hit me. The head injury was serious enough that I was placed on a temporary student disability program to help with note taking in my classes. I also had a final neuropsychologist review that stated I had lost a percentage of my cognitive ability due to the accident as well.
I'm wondering if this situation leaves me in a unique situation with my applications to certain schools. Will they care that I was able to maintain a decent GPA? Prior to my accident I was a 3.3 student for two quarters. I had ups and downs in quarters through the rest of my college. I was able to overcome my injuries to finish a decorated athlete with NCAA appearances and an All-American honor. I'm 3 years removed from undergrad at this point and my letters are from my attorney and two former coaches. My personal statement focuses on my overcoming the hardships in college to continue to be successful.
My question would be is that qualified as a "mitigating circumstance"? I'd like to attend a Tier 1 law school but I'm not sure which schools really look beyond the numbers. Thats my biggest concern is the fact my application comes in with a 2.8 and they immediately toss it into the trash. Where should I apply?
Any guidance will be appreciated. For what it's worth, I'm expecting at worst 160+ on my LSAT.