Addendum or Withdraw? Forum

(Applications Advice, Letters of Recommendation . . . )
Post Reply
olikatz

Bronze
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:10 am

Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by olikatz » Tue Aug 23, 2016 6:40 pm

I did awful during the semester a parent passed away. I only got one passing grade and that was a C. My only options to alleviate this bad semester is to do a withdrawal or write an addendum for it. I graduated already so I would be doing a retroactive withdrawal, but it would apply to the ENTIRE semester in question meaning the passing grade would be converted to a W as well. I'm wondering if a withdrawal is worth it or if I should just do an addendum. Also wouldn't I need to do an addendum for the Withdrawn semester anyway?

User avatar
proteinshake

Gold
Posts: 4643
Joined: Tue Dec 08, 2015 12:20 pm

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by proteinshake » Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:02 pm

if withdrawing would greatly improve your GPA, I'd assume you should do it. would you have to take those credits again?

User avatar
bmathers

Silver
Posts: 889
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:27 pm

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by bmathers » Tue Aug 23, 2016 7:39 pm

proteinshake wrote:if withdrawing would greatly improve your GPA, I'd assume you should do it. would you have to take those credits again?
If failed, they already do not count toward the degree. Is the "C" class important in earning your degree? Is it a class that you would have to retake? How would the LSDAS GPA handle this? What was your final GPA?

olikatz

Bronze
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:10 am

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by olikatz » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:03 pm

bmathers wrote:
proteinshake wrote:if withdrawing would greatly improve your GPA, I'd assume you should do it. would you have to take those credits again?
If failed, they already do not count toward the degree. Is the "C" class important in earning your degree? Is it a class that you would have to retake? How would the LSDAS GPA handle this? What was your final GPA?
The semester in question, was done at another university and the C course does count towards my degree requirements at the university I graduated from. Here's the thing though: I called LSAC and they said as long as the transcript from my graduating institution indicates a degree was awarded, they don't care if it affects my requirements. So if I do withdraw, it is only on the transcript from the previous university since my graduating university said they cannot update the transcripts after I graduated anyway. Technically I wouldn't be fulfilling my major's requirements if I do withdraw, but I'm wondering if this is something to keep my mouth shut if I do it?

olikatz

Bronze
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:10 am

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by olikatz » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:04 pm

proteinshake wrote:if withdrawing would greatly improve your GPA, I'd assume you should do it. would you have to take those credits again?
Same post basically:

The semester in question, was done at another university and the C course does count towards my degree requirements at the university I graduated from. Here's the thing though: I called LSAC and they said as long as the transcript from my graduating institution indicates a degree was awarded, they don't care if it affects my requirements. So if I do withdraw, it is only on the transcript from the previous university since my graduating university said they cannot update the transcripts after I graduated anyway. Technically I wouldn't be fulfilling my major's requirements if I do withdraw, but I'm wondering if this is something to keep my mouth shut if I do it?

Want to continue reading?

Register now to search topics and post comments!

Absolutely FREE!


olikatz

Bronze
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:10 am

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by olikatz » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:07 pm

I know I would be playing a dangerous game here, but my GPA would see a significant boost. I could leave the bad semester as it is and then write and addendum, but I think Withdrawing is the superior option.
Last edited by olikatz on Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Clearly

Gold
Posts: 4189
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:09 pm

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by Clearly » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:12 pm

They can't and won't revoke your degree. I've seen students pull the rug out from graduating requirements like this before. Get someone at your graduating school to write you an email stating that they can't or won't revoke your status if you undo credits from another institution and save it in case it comes up later, but it won't. It's a rare enough occurrence that schools don't usually have protocol in place to ungraduate people.

olikatz

Bronze
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:10 am

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by olikatz » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:15 pm

Clearly wrote:They can't and won't revoke your degree. I've seen students pull the rug out from graduating requirements like this before. Get someone at your graduating school to write you an email stating that they can't or won't revoke your status if you undo credits from another institution and save it in case it comes up later, but it won't. It's a rare enough occurrence that schools don't usually have protocol in place to ungraduate people.
Would an addendum be needed to explain a full semester of withdrawals though?

User avatar
Clearly

Gold
Posts: 4189
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:09 pm

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by Clearly » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:28 pm

olikatz wrote:
Clearly wrote:They can't and won't revoke your degree. I've seen students pull the rug out from graduating requirements like this before. Get someone at your graduating school to write you an email stating that they can't or won't revoke your status if you undo credits from another institution and save it in case it comes up later, but it won't. It's a rare enough occurrence that schools don't usually have protocol in place to ungraduate people.
Would an addendum be needed to explain a full semester of withdrawals though?
Personally I wouldn't but I'm pretty anti addendum generally

Want to continue reading?

Register for access!

Did I mention it was FREE ?


olikatz

Bronze
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:10 am

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by olikatz » Tue Aug 23, 2016 8:49 pm

Clearly wrote:
olikatz wrote:
Clearly wrote:They can't and won't revoke your degree. I've seen students pull the rug out from graduating requirements like this before. Get someone at your graduating school to write you an email stating that they can't or won't revoke your status if you undo credits from another institution and save it in case it comes up later, but it won't. It's a rare enough occurrence that schools don't usually have protocol in place to ungraduate people.
Would an addendum be needed to explain a full semester of withdrawals though?
Personally I wouldn't but I'm pretty anti addendum generally
What are the downsides to doing an addendum? I would imagine it is a good opportunity to explain potential weaknesses in your app.

User avatar
bmathers

Silver
Posts: 889
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:27 pm

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by bmathers » Tue Aug 23, 2016 9:02 pm

olikatz wrote:
Clearly wrote:
olikatz wrote:
Clearly wrote:They can't and won't revoke your degree. I've seen students pull the rug out from graduating requirements like this before. Get someone at your graduating school to write you an email stating that they can't or won't revoke your status if you undo credits from another institution and save it in case it comes up later, but it won't. It's a rare enough occurrence that schools don't usually have protocol in place to ungraduate people.
Would an addendum be needed to explain a full semester of withdrawals though?
Personally I wouldn't but I'm pretty anti addendum generally
What are the downsides to doing an addendum? I would imagine it is a good opportunity to explain potential weaknesses in your app.
I gather that they can come across as excuses, rather than taking full responsibility.

User avatar
Clearly

Gold
Posts: 4189
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:09 pm

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by Clearly » Tue Aug 23, 2016 9:42 pm

bmathers wrote:
olikatz wrote:
Clearly wrote:
olikatz wrote:
Clearly wrote:They can't and won't revoke your degree. I've seen students pull the rug out from graduating requirements like this before. Get someone at your graduating school to write you an email stating that they can't or won't revoke your status if you undo credits from another institution and save it in case it comes up later, but it won't. It's a rare enough occurrence that schools don't usually have protocol in place to ungraduate people.
Would an addendum be needed to explain a full semester of withdrawals though?
Personally I wouldn't but I'm pretty anti addendum generally
What are the downsides to doing an addendum? I would imagine it is a good opportunity to explain potential weaknesses in your app.
I gather that they can come across as excuses, rather than taking full responsibility.
This, and for every attempt you take in trying to explain a weakness you're drawing attention to a weakness. I had 6 years worth of undergrad between 2 schools and with full semester withdrawals, no addendum. I doubt schools even look at the details of an academic summary report in detail beyond the gpa. If I saw a semester of withdrawal I'd assume you fell ill or someone died, neither of which I'd judge you for anyway, why explain that away?

User avatar
KMart

Gold
Posts: 4369
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 1:25 am

Re: Addendum or Withdraw?

Post by KMart » Tue Aug 23, 2016 10:51 pm

Clearly wrote:
bmathers wrote:
olikatz wrote:
Clearly wrote:
olikatz wrote:
Clearly wrote:They can't and won't revoke your degree. I've seen students pull the rug out from graduating requirements like this before. Get someone at your graduating school to write you an email stating that they can't or won't revoke your status if you undo credits from another institution and save it in case it comes up later, but it won't. It's a rare enough occurrence that schools don't usually have protocol in place to ungraduate people.
Would an addendum be needed to explain a full semester of withdrawals though?
Personally I wouldn't but I'm pretty anti addendum generally
What are the downsides to doing an addendum? I would imagine it is a good opportunity to explain potential weaknesses in your app.
I gather that they can come across as excuses, rather than taking full responsibility.
This, and for every attempt you take in trying to explain a weakness you're drawing attention to a weakness. I had 6 years worth of undergrad between 2 schools and with full semester withdrawals, no addendum. I doubt schools even look at the details of an academic summary report in detail beyond the gpa. If I saw a semester of withdrawal I'd assume you fell ill or someone died, neither of which I'd judge you for anyway, why explain that away?
And if worst comes to worst in an interview with the school (if they interview) it will come up and then you can explain it that way. I align with the anti-addendum people here. Sorry about your parents, however.

Register now!

Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.

It's still FREE!


Post Reply

Return to “Law School Admissions Forum”