LOCI for getting off wait list? LSAT addendum? need feedback Forum

[theycallmefoes]

Any suggestions as to what to include in a LOCI to get off the wait list if you've already submitted a "Why X" with your application? Is it acceptable to reiterate some of the information? Also, should I address a below-median LSAT score if I did not previously do so? If so, should I include it in the LOCI, or should I submit a separate addendum?

[alanjd]

Any suggestions as to what to include in a LOCI to get off the wait list if you've already submitted a "Why X" with your application? Is it acceptable to reiterate some of the information? Also, should I address a below-median LSAT score if I did not previously do so? If so, should I include it in the LOCI, or should I submit a separate addendum?

I think it is ok to reiterate some of the info from your "why" essay. Obviously, try and say it a different way. In my LOCI, I wrote about the school's nationally ranked programs and how the institution would contribute to my legal education as a whole. If there is something that the schools brags about frequently, feel free to use it in the letter without making it sound like you are copying the website. I also wrote about how much I loved the campus and the people that I interacted with. I hope this helps.

Good luck!!

[theycallmefoes]

Any suggestions as to what to include in a LOCI to get off the wait list if you've already submitted a "Why X" with your application? Is it acceptable to reiterate some of the information? Also, should I address a below-median LSAT score if I did not previously do so? If so, should I include it in the LOCI, or should I submit a separate addendum?

I think it is ok to reiterate some of the info from your "why" essay. Obviously, try and say it a different way. In my LOCI, I wrote about the school's nationally ranked programs and how the institution would contribute to my legal education as a whole. If there is something that the schools brags about frequently, feel free to use it in the letter without making it sound like you are copying the website. I also wrote about how much I loved the campus and the people that I interacted with. I hope this helps.

Good luck!!

Thanks for the input!

Any thoughts (from you or others) as to the LSAT problem? How important is it that I address the score? (This is for a T10 school, and my LSAT score is likely the sole reason I was waitlisted.)

[cron1834]

No LSAT addendum is going to be more convincing than a retake with improvement. If you had a truly unique testing situation, my 0L sense is that an addendum could help, but if applicants could just explain away an LSAT score, don't you think the admissions game would be radically different? If it worked that easily, there wouldn't be an LSAT-industrial complex.

[alanjd]

Any suggestions as to what to include in a LOCI to get off the wait list if you've already submitted a "Why X" with your application? Is it acceptable to reiterate some of the information? Also, should I address a below-median LSAT score if I did not previously do so? If so, should I include it in the LOCI, or should I submit a separate addendum?

I think it is ok to reiterate some of the info from your "why" essay. Obviously, try and say it a different way. In my LOCI, I wrote about the school's nationally ranked programs and how the institution would contribute to my legal education as a whole. If there is something that the schools brags about frequently, feel free to use it in the letter without making it sound like you are copying the website. I also wrote about how much I loved the campus and the people that I interacted with. I hope this helps.

Good luck!!

Thanks for the input!

Any thoughts (from you or others) as to the LSAT problem? How important is it that I address the score? (This is for a T10 school, and my LSAT score is likely the sole reason I was waitlisted.)

Yeah, I would also say not to write an addendum unless you had a compelling reason for why your score was low. I never mentioned my score in any of my essays and it didn't seem to matter. I did not apply to schools of the same caliber as you did, but I think that writing about your score will come off as making excuses. You are probably right about it being the reason that you were waitlisted, but it is already done so writing about it probably wont change much. As far as your score, what is done is done. Instead, concentrate on why you want to go to that particular school. Hope that helps.

[theycallmefoes]

Any suggestions as to what to include in a LOCI to get off the wait list if you've already submitted a "Why X" with your application? Is it acceptable to reiterate some of the information? Also, should I address a below-median LSAT score if I did not previously do so? If so, should I include it in the LOCI, or should I submit a separate addendum?

I think it is ok to reiterate some of the info from your "why" essay. Obviously, try and say it a different way. In my LOCI, I wrote about the school's nationally ranked programs and how the institution would contribute to my legal education as a whole. If there is something that the schools brags about frequently, feel free to use it in the letter without making it sound like you are copying the website. I also wrote about how much I loved the campus and the people that I interacted with. I hope this helps.

Good luck!!

Thanks for the input!

Any thoughts (from you or others) as to the LSAT problem? How important is it that I address the score? (This is for a T10 school, and my LSAT score is likely the sole reason I was waitlisted.)

Yeah, I would also say not to write an addendum unless you had a compelling reason for why your score was low. I never mentioned my score in any of my essays and it didn't seem to matter. I did not apply to schools of the same caliber as you did, but I think that writing about your score will come off as making excuses. You are probably right about it being the reason that you were waitlisted, but it is already done so writing about it probably wont change much. As far as your score, what is done is done. Instead, concentrate on why you want to go to that particular school. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the response! I don't have a "compelling" reason for why my score was low, though I do have some thoughts as to why my LSAT score is not an accurate representation of my potential/abilities. I thought I could write a short letter/addendum addressing this. I realize that it probably won't make a difference, but could it hurt me if I submit such a letter? Or is it possible that it could hurt me more if I don't address it at all?

Thoughts from others would also be appreciated - I would really appreciate hearing if others agree/disagree.

[Clearly]

Don't write it.

[theycallmefoes]

No LSAT addendum is going to be more convincing than a retake with improvement. If you had a truly unique testing situation, my 0L sense is that an addendum could help, but if applicants could just explain away an LSAT score, don't you think the admissions game would be radically different? If it worked that easily, there wouldn't be an LSAT-industrial complex.

Thanks for the input! I won't be retaking, however (although I understand why you would suggest it), and I would rather not discuss the retake option any further. That being said, I completely agree with you. I am just wondering whether not mentioning it at all would be more detrimental than addressing it in some way, or, on the other hand, whether submitting an addendum could negatively impact my chances.

[theycallmefoes]

Don't write it.

Could you explain your reasoning? Do you think it could hurt my chances?

[Clearly]

Don't write it.

Could you explain your reasoningu? Do you think it could hurt my chances?

Yes.

[theycallmefoes]

Don't write it.

Could you explain your reasoningu? Do you think it could hurt my chances?

Yes.

Ok. Why?

Anybody else have thoughts?

[cron1834]

Again: is there anything truly unique in your LSAT situation? Do you have a documented disability that the LSAT won't acknowledge, but the university might? Did the fire alarm go off 4 times during your LG section? If nothing truly bizarre, then consider the incentive structure here: what would happen if schools gave an admissions bump to everyone who complained about their LSAT score not representing their true abilities? In what world would it make sense for them to give you a boost?

If something truly unique applies, then the advice here is irrelevant, and you might as well write something. If not, the consensus around these forums is that you're wasting your time.

[alanjd]

Don't write it.

Could you explain your reasoningu? Do you think it could hurt my chances?

Yes.

Ok. Why?

Anybody else have thoughts?

It won't help, and I doubt that it will hurt. Again, that will depend on what you write in the letter itself. My advice would be to write a killer LOCI. Make sure it is well written and you say everything that you think is necessary to show them that you really want to go to their school. Also, write about any other offers that you might have on the table, especially if you have any scholarship at stake.

[theycallmefoes]

Again: is there anything truly unique in your LSAT situation? Do you have a documented disability that the LSAT won't acknowledge, but the university might? Did the fire alarm go off 4 times during your LG section? If nothing truly bizarre, then consider the incentive structure here: what would happen if schools gave an admissions bump to everyone who complained about their LSAT score not representing their true abilities? In what world would it make sense for them to give you a boost?

If something truly unique applies, then the advice here is irrelevant, and you might as well write something. If not, the consensus around these forums is that you're wasting your time.

I understand. I just don't have any legitimate extenuating circumstances. I just figured that, at this point, I pretty much have nothing to lose. If it won't hurt me, why not?

[theycallmefoes]

My advice would be to write a killer LOCI. Make sure it is well written and you say everything that you think is necessary to show them that you really want to go to their school.

Well, I already submitted a very detailed Why X essay with my app, which I think is part of the reason I was wait-listed instead of outright rejected. Conventional wisdom around TLS was that I had absolutely no shot whatsoever with my LSAT score and that there was no point in even applying. I think I covered everything in that initial essay, so I don't want to submit a LOCI that is essentially the same.

Also, write about any other offers that you might have on the table, especially if you have any scholarship at stake.

Even if they're not from peer schools? I have 4 full rides (1 T20, 2 tier 1s, and a tier 2) and admission to one T14 (ranked 6 spots lower than the school in question).

[alanjd]

My advice would be to write a killer LOCI. Make sure it is well written and you say everything that you think is necessary to show them that you really want to go to their school.

Well, I already submitted a very detailed Why X essay with my app, which I think is part of the reason I was wait-listed instead of outright rejected. Conventional wisdom around TLS was that I had absolutely no shot whatsoever with my LSAT score and that there was no point in even applying. I think I covered everything in that initial essay, so I don't want to submit a LOCI that is essentially the same.

Also, write about any other offers that you might have on the table, especially if you have any scholarship at stake.

Even if they're not from peer schools? I have 4 full rides (1 T20, 2 tier 1s, and a tier 2) and admission to one T14 (ranked 6 spots lower than the school in question).

Yeah, I also wrote a "why" essay and I got waitlisted. This is just my speculation, but I believe that writing a LOCI is more about going the extra mile to show them that you want to go there rather. You can think of it as repeating yourself or you can see it as an opportunity to make your case on a different stage and under different circumstances. Try not to overthink it, or you will lose time that could have been spent on the letter. You also have to consider that there were other who also got on the waitlist and they will be submitting LOCIs too.

As far as the other offers, you don't have to say who they are. Just briefly state that you have great offers from well respected institutions.

[Clearly]

Reasons for not using

1) You have a limited amount of stuff you can send them before you become that crazy person.

2) It's entirely useless

3) You strongly risk coming off as making excuses or being too lazy to retake

If the situation was that you can contact them as much as you want, then sure throw everything you've got and see what sticks, but that's not what a waitlist is.

[theycallmefoes]

Reasons for not using

1) You have a limited amount of stuff you can send them before you become that crazy person.

2) It's entirely useless

3) You strongly risk coming off as making excuses or being too lazy to retake

If the situation was that you can contact them as much as you want, then sure throw everything you've got and see what sticks, but that's not what a waitlist is.

Thanks for the explanation.

[alanjd]

Reasons for not using

1) You have a limited amount of stuff you can send them before you become that crazy person.

2) It's entirely useless

3) You strongly risk coming off as making excuses or being too lazy to retake

If the situation was that you can contact them as much as you want, then sure throw everything you've got and see what sticks, but that's not what a waitlist is.

+1