Dear AO,
How should an applicant like me, who has multiple "non-traditional" aspects to my story—lower GPA, gap in education, significant work experience—best explain these aspects without overloading my application with details that inadvertently highlight them...but still provide context? Most schools seem to encourage applicants to explain any unusual or unconventional aspects to their application so no questions are left unanswered, typically in the form of an addendum. While there certainly aren't any "ideal" or one-size-fits-all trajectories that are universally labeled "traditional," it does feel like the number of "traditional" applicants, those without unconventional aspects, has increased recently.
I've repeatedly heard that it is unwise to address the same issue more than once, and it is advantageous to try and share as much as possible about yourself with the application materials provided. However, I feel as though I have more explaining to do than the average addendum will cover, as I have to explain a lower GPA as well as a gap in my education. Should I submit multiple addenda if possible? Should I leave room for explanation of these in a supplemental essay or my personal statement? Or do I preserve my essays for other information that highlights my strengths?
Thanks so much for taking questions. As a first-gen college student (and hopefully future lawyer!), I've been looking for a reliable yet affordable resource for these types of application questions and I am looking forward to your response!
Signed,
Multiple NonTrad
Dear Multiple NonTrad,
First, thank you for your questions!
I am going to tell you first and foremost, admissions officers (AOs) are great at learning who an applicant is by reading through their documents and information in a very short time frame. I like to think that we are great detectives! And you are correct, we do not like to have questions unanswered, but depending on the applicant, we can fill in some blanks based on our detective work of reviewing your entire application. However, it is best to fill in those blanks yourself.
To start, the best thing for you to do is to outline your story and what you want law schools to know. Once you have the list of things you want to convey, you can start organizing the list into potential places like the PS or addenda statements. This can help with preventing information from being addressed more than once. Although, some stories overlap.
While writing, it is important to keep to the specific details and get straight to the point. AOs love this. I recommend applicants answer the question out loud first before typing. You may ask yourself, “What is it about my undergraduate record that I want them to know?” When you answer out loud, you will find that your answer is succinct and to the point. Then, try putting that answer down on paper. You may find this strategy helpful in remembering details as well.
To answer the question about multiple addenda, they are okay if information or stories are not duplicated. Duplicated information shows a lack of organizational skills and attention to detail. If some information is related, make sure the details/stories differ in each statement.
Finally, it may be possible to combine some information into one addendum statement. For instance, in your example, you may be able to explain your gap in education and how that led to you choosing your work area and then highlight some of your triumphs. Or your personal statement may be able to highlight some of your work highlights if it is related to how you chose to pursue law. Most law schools want to know this at some point. In general, there are multiple ways to present this information to us. Sometimes, some parts of your entire story can be explained in one or two sentences.
I hope this is helpful!
Warmly,
Dr. Riley
Hi Multiple NonTrad––just tacking on to say that for some schools, multiple addenda will be required. There are institutions that require an addendum specifically for a gap in education, which would be separate from an LSAT or GPA addendum. Additionally, if the academic performance resulted in academic probation or an academic warning, that would also be a separate statement. Be sure to read each school’s application questions and instructions closely––some schools have a short answer box in the application itself where you can enter these explanations. Finally, when it comes to your significant work experience, we often will glean that information from a detailed résumé; however, if there are skills that you believe demonstrate that you would be stronger academically now versus when you were in college, that could be something you include in that GPA addendum. Hope this helps! -taj
Dear AO,
Do unnecessary addenda hurt applications? I missed my LSAT once because my Internet gave out and I had other obligations during the remake period. It now shows up as an "absence" in my LSAT history. I want law admissions officers to know I didn't flake, or not care enough to show up, but I'm also worried it'll weaken my app if I waste their time with silly addendums.
Signed,
AbsentLSAT
Hi AbsentLSAT,
Contextual information isn’t silly or unnecessary. In determining whether addenda are appropriate, it’s always best to go to the source. Some schools have in their application instructions that they are open to receiving any information relevant to your candidacy, so if you feel like the added context is helpful and that you can then highlight the strength of your preparation when you did retake and the result of your final score, that information could be helpful.
Alternatively, if the instructions discourage addenda, especially related to the LSAT, then it makes sense to leave that document out for that particular application. Where the language is ambiguous, it’s never a bad thing to give the school’s admissions office a call and ask them directly what they would prefer. From an admissions perspective, contacting the office for clarification is always going to be the strongest source when trying to determine the preferences of a particular admissions office or committee. If there’s just one cancellation, some admissions committees won’t be concerned; however, if there are multiple, they may indicate a pattern, and context becomes more helpful.
All my best,
taj
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