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Hello,

I'm considering applying to law school, but my GPA is definitely not up to par and I haven't taken the LSAT yet. Without going into too much detail, I was the victim of a legally documented violent crime/assault and ended up failing multiple classes during one semester, followed by another semester of mediocre grades. This took a major hit on my GPA, so I'm wondering if writing an addendum would even make a difference in this case? I'm also appealing to have the failing grades turned into "incompletes", but that will still look pretty bad... I really don't want it to come off as a sob story, but I know I don't have much of a chance with out a "legitimate" explanation. Thanks for any opinions!

Obviously not going to ask what this legally documented crime was, but it depends on a number of factors:

(1) how bad is your GPA?
(2) how good is/will be your LSAT?

For the most part, law schools are going to care about your bottom line GPA. Do well on the LSAT + write an addendum (I was even thinking how this could turn into a strong personal statement of overcoming adversity etc.).

What is GPA if I may ask?

Have you looked into retroactive withdrawals for that semester?

malleus discentium wrote:Have you looked into retroactive withdrawals for that semester?

So his grades turn into F's as far as the LSAC is concerned?

gatesome wrote:

malleus discentium wrote:Have you looked into retroactive withdrawals for that semester?

So his grades turn into F's as far as the LSAC is concerned?

Retroactive withdrawals are unlikely to be punitive.

hibiscus7 wrote:Hello,

I'm considering applying to law school, but my GPA is definitely not up to par and I haven't taken the LSAT yet. Without going into too much detail, I was the victim of a legally documented violent crime/assault and ended up failing multiple classes during one semester, followed by another semester of mediocre grades. This took a major hit on my GPA, so I'm wondering if writing an addendum would even make a difference in this case? I'm also appealing to have the failing grades turned into "incompletes", but that will still look pretty bad... I really don't want it to come off as a sob story, but I know I don't have much of a chance with out a "legitimate" explanation. Thanks for any opinions!

Absolutely, positively explain this in an addendum, regardless of whether you're successful in getting them changed to incompletes. What would make you think your explanation wouldn't be "legitimate"? I have a hard time coming up with a scenario where an AdCom holds being the victim of a violent crime AGAINST an applicant. The only way that would happen would be if, like, the actual assault was small and no reason able person would think of it as something that would cause extreme post-event trauma. But if that were the case, I'd imagine it wouldn't have resulted in criminal charges or conviction.

Either way, it happened and "sob" story or no, it's still your story. You either tell it or let AdComs assume you're just a poor, inconsistent student. But like I said, you shouldn't be ashamed to have been the victim of a violent crime or of having to take some time to recover from that experience. Just have people you trust (friend, professor, prelaw adviser at your school) read your addendum to make sure it strikes the tone you're shooting for.

Dean Perez