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I'm new to 7sage, but not to LSAT and the admissions process. I'm getting ready to apply for the fall 2017 cycle and I recently learned of something that could possibly ruin my apps... my criminal history. I was unaware, until now, that you MUST disclose your criminal background when applying.
My GPA is above the median for my target school and so is my LSAT score. I have good work experience, interned with a government consulting firm. I'm 27 years old (about to turn 28), and am just about to finish my BS in economics. And... I have 5 underage drinking charges and two marijuana possession charges. Oh, and god knows how many speeding tickets. No felonies or serious crimes. Just the mark of someone who loved to party when they were a teenager. So I heard some good things about 7sage and figured I would ask the community to see if I could get some guidance on my situation.
I really want an honest, unadulterated answer. Am i fucked? All of these charges happened between ages 15-21. So, they were a long time ago. I'm just worried that this might show a pattern of behavior that calls into question my "character and fitness." Granted it has been almost 8 years since I last had a run in with the law, I'm just worried the volume of charges might be too much for them to look past.
I feel terrible right now, and am kind of freaking out. I put in so much time and effort with school and the LSAT. Being rejected for my criminal background would just crush my whole world.
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56 comments
The addendum versus what is specifically asked for appears to be different ... Right? If asked what where etc, you say "DUI" on "10/17/2016" etc. Doesn't leave it open to say I did this after... I grew from it by... etc. I'm really just thinking out loud right now, or silently but in text, lol.
I don't think you have to explain in detail each circumstance so maybe that can help reaching the 1000 word limit.
***1000 characters.
Yes, some of the schools I'm applying to won't let me attach an addendum. I have like 100 characters to explain everything. For me, that will not be enough to explain my criminal background.
As far as I know, every school that asks about C&F issues will ask you to explain what happened if you check yes. That's what I mean by addendum.
Double check, most applications have a requirement for "yes" answers to C&F questions, or they also usually have an "optional addenda" option where you can load anything up. You can use this for your C&F
@davidbusis895.busis unfortunately there's some schools that don't give an option to write an addendum unless it's for GPA/LSAT purposes. What do you say regarding that?
Apologies if I'm repeating information, but first of all—you're not fucked. Based on anecdotal experience, your C&F issues will be a thumb on the scale, but probably won't outweigh your numbers.
Here's how to write a good C&F addendum:
1. Explain what happened. Give a full account. Take full responsibility.
2. Note the disposition of the charge.
3. Explain how you've learned or changed, and why this will never happen again.
4. Offer to share more information.
I wrote more here, though it's behind a pay wall: https://classic.7sage.com/lesson/how-to-write-a-non-required-addendum/.
Good luck!
Haha before I came here I was on TLS since 2009. Now I basically only respond to PMs and hang out in the specific on-topic LSAT study groups.
TLS is actually awesome and great for somethings. There are a lot of actual practicing attorneys who have helped me immensely.
Unfortunately, things like motivation and empathy seem to be a lacking. For LSAT stuff, 7Sage is the best! :)
@476.rizeq haha this is the first time i've heard of oLs.
Lol unfortunately the trolls are the ones that make people dislike the forum. Is has potential to be an awesome hub for 0Ls.
@olineali684 Me too! Thank you so much for the kind words.
This 7sage community is way better than TLS. TLS seems likes a bunch of trolly trolls, lol.
@danthemann8989959 glad you're feeling better! good luck
Wishing you the best! :)
If anyone else needs to have similar records procured and has 12-14 weeks to spare, go here:
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
If you want to go through a state agency, you will have to find the appropriate state website.
Thank you for this! I'm sure people will find this of benefit!
Good news! Good stuff! Do make sure to get those dispositions and records I mentioned.... You will 100% need them for the bar examiners. And as I said, the more time that passes the harder they are to track down.
Glad to hear you are in better spirits!
That's for sure. So no matter the advice given, it will all come down to what the school specifically asks for!
Thanks! I know I should be more positive. The past week has been super rough so I have been a super downer. Now that it's Saturday I'm in a little bit better mood. I'm getting my fingerprints taken later today and will get a complete history of my criminal background, including juvenile.
BTW, for anyone else who needs to do this, you can get a full background check through the FBI or through your states department of public safety. The FBI one takes 12-14 weeks to process, so I''m taking the latter option. If the print out gives exact dates, I should be good to go (I would think that this would be an accurate record of all dispositions?).
If anyone else needs to have similar records procured and has 12-14 weeks to spare, go here:
https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
If you want to go through a state agency, you will have to find the appropriate state website.
Some applications do not allow a formal C&F essay and make you explain everything in 1000 characters or less. I think it really depends on the state you are in, and the school.
I agree. While it would be awesome to have a section to explain what occurred, if they don't ask for it don't do it! you're on the right track :)
There is a section to upload a GPA/LSAT addendum. Specifically reads that on that upload section. So to me I thought even more that they're not asking for an addendum on the criminal history I disclose. They only ask for statements and give instructions as I mentioned above. I felt like if I included my addendum in there then I was not going by their instructions. One school's instructions were to make a list of the charges, dates, ages, etc., and so with a list I definitely didn't feel it appropriate to give a paragraph of an explanation.
Yeah....this is tough because you do want the record to show that you are a since changed and matured individual. I don't understand why you wouldn't be given an opportunity to explain yourself. Is there no place at all for any addendum? even the common GPA/LSAT addendum to where you're applying?
I have submitted some apps (indicating I'm taking Dec LSAT). I have a criminal background to disclose, as some schools even ask for expunged records. In 4 applications I had no place to upload my addendum to this. Which has me disappointed. I could only provide answers to the specific questions as an attachment. Where, what, when and outcome. I spent time on an addendum, but found no place to upload it. They had questions then at the end said if you answered yes to a question upload answers to the following, age of offense, charge, outcome, location, but no place to give an addendum. Has anyone else applied and if so where did you include an addendum? It's kind of like don't give them more than what they ask for.. they aren't asking for an explanation of why you did it or how you grew from it or what you learned... so how can we tell them that if they don't ask for it?
Lol congrats @danthemann8989959 but seriously stop talking down on yourself! You're trying to make something of yourself and that's all that matters now. :)
GOOD NEWS!! I found out that my top school choice has the following C&F statement on their application:
Have you ever been convicted of a crime or adjudicated delinquent, or are there any criminal charges pending against you?
(You need not report either juvenile matters for which records have been sealed or minor traffic violations.)
This makes me look like only kind of a fuck up, not a complete fuck up. Hooray!
Tracking down those types of things can be a pain, but if law school is important to you, I would make a concerted effort to get the dispositions and records of seeing the therapist. I'm not sure if not having the records will "make or break" your app, but the only way to find out is pretty risky.