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Don't write an addendum. Your highest score is really all that matters, and an addendum will not change the way a school assesses your scores.

Similar question regarding an LSAT addendum. Some schools ask for them if there is a certain gap between multiple scores, is it still best to not write an addendum in these situations? Thanks.

stig2014 wrote:Similar question regarding an LSAT addendum. Some schools ask for them if there is a certain gap between multiple scores, is it still best to not write an addendum in these situations? Thanks.

I have never heard of that, but if it's in the application instructions then you should include one.

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lunixer wrote:

stig2014 wrote:Similar question regarding an LSAT addendum. Some schools ask for them if there is a certain gap between multiple scores, is it still best to not write an addendum in these situations? Thanks.

I had been wondering about this too. My scores were dramatically different: 165 -> 170 -> 178. I've had conflicting advice. Some say don't write it, they don't want to see it. But the schools say that you should write one if your scores are inconsistent, which mine obviously are.

Was it in progression like that? Like 165 on the first exam, 170 on second, 178 on third? Because if so, I imagine that'd be very, very, very easy to explain. You usually don't need explanations for your lsat or gpa vastly improving.

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rfhassan wrote:

Troianii wrote:

lunixer wrote:

stig2014 wrote:Similar question regarding an LSAT addendum. Some schools ask for them if there is a certain gap between multiple scores, is it still best to not write an addendum in these situations? Thanks.

I had been wondering about this too. My scores were dramatically different: 165 -> 170 -> 178. I've had conflicting advice. Some say don't write it, they don't want to see it. But the schools say that you should write one if your scores are inconsistent, which mine obviously are.

Was it in progression like that? Like 165 on the first exam, 170 on second, 178 on third? Because if so, I imagine that'd be very, very, very easy to explain. You usually don't need explanations for your lsat or gpa vastly improving.

What about in my case (161->159->168) where I decreased on my 2nd take but greatly improved on my 3rd?

Well in all reality you could write an addendum and it wouldn't hurt, but generally speaking I don't think it's necessary. If you have a good reason why your initial scores were lower, then go ahead - it couldn't hurt. But generally speaking, again, they're not gonna care if you "only" scored a 159 because you just had a death in the family and were overworked, or if it was just because you were drunk. It can't hurt to write an addendum - you'll know the explanation - but don't overdo it. Do a paragraph.

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You should lean towards not submitting an addendum unless you have something useful to say (hint, you probably do not have anything useful to say).

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 2&t=255632

Pay attention specifically to Sivey's comments.

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lunixer wrote:Oddly, my consultant completely disagrees with both of you. I'm going to have to ask them what their reasoning is because your logic makes sense to me.

EDIT: I do trust this person's experience and believe that their opinion is expert. I did not go with a cut-rate consultant.

It can't hurt, but I wouldn't expect it to make any difference. Suppose you were sick - well, how often do you think adcoms read that, "I took three tests, but didn't do as well on the first two for no specific reason"? There's always some reason, and in probably 90+% of the cases, they've heard it before. "I was sick", "family member just died", "I wasn't as well prepared", "I just went through a break up", "I wasn't focused"... whatever your reason, chances are its run of the mill and won't sway an adcom - at all. And, again, as others have already said, schools only report the highest LSAT score to LSAC and, given that schools are basically ranking wh***s, your other lower scores won't matter.

It won't exactly hurt you, imo it pretty much doesn't matter - I assume your reasons are fairly typical. Just don't stress about it, and be laconic in your explanation: if you can explain yourself in a paragraph, good. If you can explain it in three sentences, better.

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