LSAT Addendum Forum

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 1:28 am

How does this sound? Does it sound honest and truthful?

In 2013, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a non curable, but treatable disease that produces inflammation in the colon area; symptoms include urgency to use the restroom, sudden stomach cramps and joint pains. Two weeks prior to my third attempt, I suffered from an ulcerative colitis flare up that lasted over a month. During the third attempt, as I took the LSAT, I suffered from cramps and sudden urgencies to use the restroom. I feel that my second score of XXX is a more accurate representation of my abilities than my third score of XXX. I believe that this rare and unusual flare up was in part responsible for my 4-point drop in my score, but more importantly, my failure to surpass my highest score. Despite the fact that I resigned my job 3 months prior to the exam to study full time, such a medical impediment was unpredictable.

Cradle6 · Post by **Cradle6** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 7:37 am

Too wordy.

And DEFINITELY erase that last line.

MistakenGenius · Post by **MistakenGenius** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 8:42 am

Post removed.

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:34 am

Is this better?

In 2013, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a non curable, but treatable disease that produces inflammation in the colon area; symptoms include urgency to use the restroom, sudden stomach cramps and joint pains. Two weeks prior to my third attempt, I suffered from an ulcerative colitis flare up that lasted over a month. During the third attempt, as I took the LSAT, I suffered from cramps and sudden urgencies to use the restroom. I feel that my second score of XXX is a more accurate representation of my abilities than my third score of XXX. I believe that this rare and unusual flare up was in part responsible for my 4-point drop in my score, but more importantly, my failure to surpass my highest score.

kcdc1 · Post by **kcdc1** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 11:12 am

Is there not a better term than 'flare up' to use here? In any event, if your objective is to have them look at your 2nd score rather than your third, mission accomplished.

Cradle6 · Post by **Cradle6** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 11:17 am

MistakenGenius wrote:
Cradle6 wrote:Too wordy.
Wrong. Your addendum is a fine length. That said, I would erase the last two lines.

Nah, and addendum is supposed to be short and to the point. You don't want to go into unnecessary detail.

That being said, new version is much better. You don't want to say you quit the job for the the lsat, so biggest problem fixed.

I would still maybe say that you had to leave the room during the test, causing you to miss questions, making your third score unrepresentative of your ability.

Rigo · Post by **Rigo** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 11:34 am

Cradle6 wrote: I would still maybe say that you had to leave the room during the test, causing you to miss questions, making your third score unrepresentative of your ability.

OP, only say this if it's the truth.

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 5:17 pm

Thank you for all the help. Of course, I like to be honest and truthful. I did not have to leave the room that day, but it was very uncomfortable. Instead of "flare-up" I could say active colitis?

Rahviveh · Post by **Rahviveh** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 9:10 pm

Why didn't you postpone the test once you had this ulcer? Also, they will likely only take your highest score anyways, so you'll be fine

Tiago Splitter · Post by **Tiago Splitter** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 9:20 pm

Don't see the need for an addendum TBH. You had this horrible medical issue that affected you during the test and caused your score to drop...4 points?

Rigo · Post by **Rigo** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 9:31 pm

OP, I hate to be the one who says it, but it would be very unfortunate if you matriculated without ever seriously considering what I'm about to say:

Do not go to law school.

Your GPA is a 3.02. Though you haven't told us your highest LSAT score (despite me asking in your other thread), it's a safe assumption that it is not good since you retook a third time.
Please look at your situation objectively and rationally.
You will have to take out six figures of nondischargeable debt for a coin-flip's chance of getting any legal job. I'm begging you to pursue a different path. Going to law school will be the worst decision you ever make.

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 9:59 pm

Drigo,

Yes, in fact I do have a 3.02. However, you need to understand why I have that GPA. I assure you it is not for lack of intelligence, rather for economic and social reasons. As far as my LSAT, it is at 155. I feel that you are giving me advice that is well intentioned. But, you do not really know who I am or what I have been through. You have no idea why I want to go to law school. I do not want to become a rich man at a huge law firm. I want to actually help people, and to do that you do not need a fancy degree from a top law school. You only need to have passion and compassion for those people who need affordable legal assistance.

I thank you for your advice.

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:03 pm

Also, I got numerous scholarships from very good schools last year. My debt will not be very much. I believe that when I reapply I will get the same if not more money given I am applying very early.

Rigo · Post by **Rigo** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:18 pm

erickt88 wrote: Yes, in fact I do have a 3.02. However, you need to understand why I have that GPA. I assure you it is not for lack of intelligence, rather for economic and social reasons. As far as my LSAT, it is at 155.

I never said nor do I think that GPA and LSAT are measures of intelligence. They are, however, measures of the type of school you are going to get into, measures of the amount of financial aid you will get, and measures that have unfortunately severely limited the chances of you succeeding beyond law school.

erickt88 wrote:I feel that you are giving me advice that is well intentioned. But, you do not really know who I am or what I have been through. You have no idea why I want to go to law school. I do not want to become a rich man at a huge law firm. I want to actually help people, and to do that you do not need a fancy degree from a top law school. You only need to have passion and compassion for those people who need affordable legal assistance.

I promise you I have good intentions. And you're right that I don't know you or know what you've been through, but that doesn't change the fact that law school is still an objectively bad decision in your case.

erickt88 wrote:Also, I got numerous scholarships from very good schools last year. My debt will not be very much. I believe that when I reapply I will get the same if not more money given I am applying very early.

Which schools?

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:27 pm

Drigo,

My decision is not up for debate. Sorry. Thank you for the advice however. I really mean it.

mornincounselor · Post by **mornincounselor** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:37 pm

Post removed.

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Thu Sep 25, 2014 10:46 pm

So what you are saying is unless I have a 3.8 or above and a 170 or above I should not got to law school?

BillsFan9907 · Post by **BillsFan9907** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 10:58 am

There is a bigger issue here that nobody is touching on: going into detail about having colitis demonstrates a lack of social acuity . no matter the circumstances, it is not considered socially acceptable to discuss bathroom matters (unless of course its with a doctor). I'd advise that your addendum be less graphic.

Rigo · Post by **Rigo** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 11:59 am

erickt88 wrote:So what you are saying is unless I have a 3.8 or above and a 170 or above I should not got to law school?

cron1834 · Post by **cron1834** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 6:02 pm

erickt88 wrote:So what you are saying is unless I have a 3.8 or above and a 170 or above I should not got to law school?

Don't be a dick - no one said that. There's a lot of middle ground between 3.0/155 and 3.8/170+. If this is representative of your reasoning skills, your ability to "help people" by going to law school is questionable.

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 6:31 pm

Lol. Man the negativity here to to much.

BillsFan9907 · Post by **BillsFan9907** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 7:26 pm

erickt88 wrote:Lol. Man the negativity here to to much.

Lol someone who has such an important life they took the time to make up a fake thread on TLS.

erickt88 · Post by **erickt88** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 7:46 pm

There's nothing fake about this thread.

BillsFan9907 · Post by **BillsFan9907** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 7:51 pm

erickt88 wrote:There's nothing fake about this thread.

I'll bite. Take a photo of a medical record, obscuring personal info.

Rigo · Post by **Rigo** » Fri Sep 26, 2014 8:05 pm

Seoulless wrote:
erickt88 wrote:There's nothing fake about this thread.
I'll bite. Take a photo of a medical record, obscuring personal info.

I don't smell a troll--just someone who is making a very poor decision.
Trolls can be entertaining, but this story just leaves me with a very uneasy feeling inside. Like Molly Brown watching the Titanic go down.