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I've gathered that unless there are extremely extenuating circumstances, it's better not to write an actual addendum for a change in GPA or a particularly bad semester. My question: will a significantly upward GPA trend, or high GPA within-majors, automatically be noticed/sifted out by admissions committees when they look at my transcript, or is it worth noting that in a line on the resume (I'd just put something like GPA last two years: 3.8; in-major GPA: 3.85 on the same line as my undergraduate education) or somewhere similarly small?

Hi all!

I was planning on attending the LSAC Forum next weekend but since I am not applying until this time next year, would it be more beneficial to meet admissions people at fairs next year? I feel like it would place me more at an advantage to have a conversation with them when I am applying because they actually might remember me if I (hopefully) made a good impression. Are there any perks to meeting admissions people a year before you apply?

So I need to write an addendum for two separate issues it would seem.

The first issue is I need to explain my GPA. I had really bad grades, a long break, and then a 4.0 GPA. This leaves me with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 which I feel I need to explain.

The second issue is that it seems schools would like an addendum that details how I will be a recipient of the Yellow Ribbon Program (tuition coverage program for vets).

Would you write two separate addenda for this or combine it into one?

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Last comment monday, oct 30 2017

LORs

I have three LORs (all from professors) and I'm confident in two of them. The third I'm sure is good but I imagine it's not as good as the other two. Should I still assign all three, or just the two?

I had a friend who told me that everyone has something interesting to say about themselves, and for a long time I wasn't a big believer in that. I thought that I could never think of a good personal statement because my life was too normal and boring, but I whipped one up and after ps swapping with a lot of people the past two days, I definitely feel a lot more inspired so I wanted to pass that on to anyone who was feeling the way I did.

I didn't think my statement was anything special, but I've gotten pretty positive feedback which has given me more confidence, and everyone's I've read has also been great! Even if the writing isn't 100% there yet, every single topic that I've read about has been super unique and so different from my own point of view, and now I really do believe that everyone has something they could write about to make a great personal statement. So good luck!! And feel free to let me know if you want to ps swap :)

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Last comment friday, oct 27 2017

Trouble Remembering?

Hey All,

My law school applications require me to specify how many hours I worked per job, and I also want to mention that in my addendum as well. I cannot remember exactly how many hours I worked for one particular job. I remember that it fluctuated (It started off somewhere in the ballpark of 8-12 hours a week and then it increased later as I needed to make more money. It could have been anywhere from 15 to 25 hours...I don't remember). I left this job around 4 years ago and I've had a good amount of jobs since. Is anyone else having trouble remembering these details? How should I address this?

Thanks!

Hi!

I am an undergraduate student from Atlantic Canada. And I came across the grade conversion table on LSAC's website. My universities approach to allocating letter grades to ranges of numeric grades is very different from the one shown in that table. And I am pretty sure that my transcript will have both numeric and letter grades. In calculating GPA, our university goes by letter grades. I was wondering, in a transcript with both numeric and letter grades, will LSAC give preference to the letter grades in calculating my GPA or will it use its own numerical analysis for determining letter grades?

It would mean a lot to me if someone could point me in the right direction because I am somewhat scared that the discrepancy between how my university handles grades vs. how LSAC does might ruin my chances of getting into my choice of schools. :(

Regards,

Eeshan

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Last comment friday, oct 27 2017

Studying "Full Time"

Would it be extremely unattractive for admissions committees to see somewhat of a gap on your resume between undergrad and applying, due to studying for the LSAT full time? Or would the numbers speak for themselves?

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Last comment thursday, oct 26 2017

Is It Too Late?

So I was really hoping that my Sept score would be enough for me to comfortably apply to the schools that I'm targeting but, like many of those who sat for the exam, I left discouraged and fell short of the score I wanted. After waiting that month to get my score back, it has taken a lot out of me to get back into the study grind. Is a month and a half (mid Oct - Dec exam) enough time to see an increase in score (hoping for 5-7 point improvement)?

The point: I graduated from undergrad a couple years ago and if I wait to apply next cycle, that would essentially mean I'd be starting law school at the age of 27. Is that too late? And furthermore graduating from LS at 30? I really want to apply this cycle but I also don't want to rush this process and risk bad study habits along the way for the sole purpose of forcing my application. Also, I don't want to apply any later than after the Dec scores come out bc of scholarship money etc, etc.

Is anyone in the same boat as me or have any advice? The December exam is QUICKLY approaching and I'm not sure what to do. Help

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Last comment thursday, oct 26 2017

Curious?

Two days ago I began studying for the lsat. I have never opened a book on the test or had any kind of previous experience with it. I just wanted to see where I was at initially. I made a 146, I was pretty upset. I want to make a 160, is this 14 point jump reasonable to assume I can do that with 4 months of preparation? I’m sorry but I don’t know much about the test in that aspect. Any thoughts?

"Have you ever, either as an adult or a juvenile, been cited, ticketed, arrested, taken into custody, charged with, indicted, convicted or tried for, or pleaded guilty to, the commission of any felony or misdemeanor or the violation of any law, or been the subject of any juvenile delinquency or youthful offender proceeding?...Do not report parking violations."

So I was issued a speeding ticket that ended up being reduced in court to a parking violation. I'm not sure if I should report this, considering they specifically say not to report parking violations...I don't want it to come across as though I am ignoring their request to not report parking violations, but I am also not sure if the fact that I was initially issued a speeding ticket changes things.

I visited the D.C law fair yesterday and struck up a conversation with the assistant head of admissions at a t14 school, we have been emailing back and forth and i was wondering what the chances are that she will get a look at my application. What do you think? Does everyone on the board of admissions see an application?

I worked at a law firm as an intern for 2 months, quit for a couple months to work retail and make money, then took on both my part time retail job along with that same internship for 2 months, was hired as a receptionist, then worked there part time as a legal assistant to focus on finishing up school.

My job duties from the beginning as an intern was essentially paralegal duties. The only things that changed as time went on were the types of cases the firm worked on and toward the end I did more attorney billables and case deadlines and my pay went up a bit.

Should I list it like

Law Firm LLP

legal assistant 8/2015 – 8/2016

receptionist 3/2015 – 8/2015

intern 8/2014 - 10/2014, 1/2015 - 3/2015

  • short description of job duties. given a paid position in recognition of my good work as an unpaid intern. as job title changed I began working more closely with the attorneys...began working only with two attorneys on a couple cases...later on had a hand in almost every case at the firm with all 15 attorneys...had less admin duties and more paralegal duties...John Smith Esq. personally taught me paralegal duties such as court filings, deadlining cases, formatting pleadings, arranging subpoena services, also received a raise from $/month to $/month
  • Any other ways to format this?

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    Last comment wednesday, oct 25 2017

    Advice on Addendum

    Hey everyone, miss me?

    So I know I disappeared and a few 7sagers know why, but after a lot of thought i've decided to proceed forward with my applications for the 2018 cycle. With one caveat. I'm going to attach an addendum for my LSAT scores, particularly how I score 10 points below my practice tests on the September tests.

    I've NEVER been a good standardized tester. Back in the third grade when I received my first standardized test, all of my grades began to plummet. My parents made the choice to get me tested in case there was some sort of learning disorder, and the results were a first for the testers. I didn't have a learning disability at all, I just was an auditory and kinesthetic learner who didn't test well on standardized tests. Essays, short answers and written answers I nailed but anything bubbling was not enough to keep me engaged. I've learned lots of testing strategies over the years, but none of them were designed to help with the LSAT. If you followed the September LSAT Saga, it was a very stressful situation from start to finish and I'm positive that negatively DESTROYED my score.

    I have no idea how to even write an addendum, let alone include most of that in an appropriate way.

    Any tips?

    I'm realizing I need to add an edit: This particular score was extremely low as I was in Florida during Hurricane Irma. My testing center closed down, and after financial pressures I caught a cheap flight to DC to do the test there. Not only was this my second time taking the test, I was also coping with serious family upheaval. The hurricane had flooded my grandparents home where I had to conduct an emergency rescue to get them out. They also were living with us at this point. A bit TMI but the stress was beyond normal stress.

    I graduated from my online undergraduate program roughly 5 months ago and have been in the process of finishing up my personal statement, addendum, and resume. Now I was wondering if anyone on here was an Online student at one time and what approach you think I should take in regards to getting one of those precious LOR. Just seems difficult because I have never met my previous professors other than a few emails and discussion boards.

    I hear that some schools periodically admit students once applications are available and the longer you wait, the less seats available. Keeping that in mind along with my dissatisfaction with my September score, should I pursue the exam in December although I think I could perform better in February?

    Hi all,

    I studied abroad via a popular US program run out of Butler University in the United States (IFSA-Butler) [http://www.ifsa-butler.org/for-alumni/transcript-information.html]. I though that, since Butler University is a US institution and was issuing a US transcript, LSAC would accept these credits as part of my undergraduate record.

    Has anyone had success with IFSA-Butler specifically, or with other study abroad programs in general?

    Many thanks!

    OK, I graduated from college almost 20 years ago. I have not worked in 3 years, I have been a stay at home mom. So, who can I ask to write my letter of recommendation? I'm not particularly involved with any group or church. I feel pretty sidelined for not being as outgoing or active in my community. I don't know about suddenly joining groups just to make some contacts to get that oh so needed letter. From what I hear, it's still pretty necessary to have at least 2 letters. Any help would be appreciated.

    Hi everyone,

    This is a question for everyone who is taking the December/February LSAT, but is submitting applications before then:

    I'm planning on submitting my applications this week but am unsure of how to proceed with the "Standardized Test" page. Currently, I have my September LSAT score listed with another entry for December listed below, but with no score. Is this the right move or should I exclude December altogether? I want to be very clear with schools that I'm retaking in December as I plan to increase my score to get a scholarship (a necessity for me). What do you guys think is the best way to fill out this page?

    Also, my current understanding is that schools can tell if you are registered for a future LSAT date without you explicitly telling them and that they will usually wait to evaluate you until those scores are released. If this is incorrect, please let me know.

    One professor who I took 2 classes with, never went to office hours, never really talked to him on a personal level, sent me a very enthused email saying he would gladly write a letter for me, "and a good one," because he well remembered my "excellent" performance in class. He said just send me the upload link and I dont need a resume or anything from you.*edit - he just now submitted my LOR. I asked last night and he already submitted it this morning.

    Another professor who I took one class with, went to office hours, participated in class discussions, got over 95% on all the exams, talked to on a personal level (we're both from the same country)...said she would be happy to write me a letter..."I usually require a months notice so I should be able to get it submitted by December". She asked for a "statement of purpose" and for a writing sample from her class. I took her class over a year ago and the papers were all handwritten in class exams so I don't have copies.

    Should I just keep asking professors until I find one who responds with similar enthusiasm as the first one? I'm worried her response asking for so many docs means she won't write a good letter...and not sure if it's a good idea to throw together a paper from my old class notes... maybe I'm reading into it too much

    Hey everyone,

    So I have a pretty simple question and I have a feeling there's an obvious answer, but I'm stumped so I figured I'd ask the experts. As schools are emailing/mailing us literature and information about their respective law schools, some are also including unsolicited application fee waivers as well. Some are codes we have to enter on websites (i.e. Temple), but most are through LSAC when we actually apply.

    Is there a page on our LSAC accounts where we can go to see all the schools that have sent us fee waivers or do we have to sort through our emails/letters or check and see each one individually during "checkout" of applications?

    Thanks!

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