Hello,

I am in need of advice of whether I should write a GPA addendum for specific schools. My overall GPA when I graduated college was a 3.68. However, during my first year, I was unsure about my career path, and I faced surmounting pressure from my parents to follow in their footsteps (both of whom are dentists). Therefore, I majored in biology even though I had no clear passion towards it. During my first year, I struggled greatly in my classes and I was afraid to ask for help because I was embarrassed. No matter how much I studied, I could not grasp the concepts. Also, I didn't utilize the resources on campus (i.e. free tutoring, office hours, etc) and it came at the expense of my grades. By the end of my first year, I had a cumulative GPA of 2.78.

However, during the following summer, I realized I could no longer pursue a career I was not interested in. I withdrew from my physics course (leaving a W on my transcript) and changed my major to English because I had a genuine interest in law. After changing my major, I became more comfortable asking questions and I wasn't afraid to ask for help when I needed it. I began to visit my professors' office hours and the Academic Resource Center. Over my remaining years, I averaged a 3.97 GPA. However, my overall GPA is a 3.68 due to my first year of majoring in biology.

I read online that we should not write an addendum if we don't really need one. The article said, "Law school admissions officers can spot a 'failed premed' from a mile away—they don’t necessarily need or want you to explain it in an addendum." However, I feel like my case is not necessarily the same. I learned from my experiences and I have worked tremendously hard over the years.

Therefore, should I write an addendum to EVERY school explaining why my cumulative GPA is not necessarily as high as it could be? Or should I only write an addendum only to schools where my GPA is BELOW the median GPA of that respective school? Or should I not write an addendum at all?

I feel like my addendum could provide some insight into who I am and how I've grown over the years (i.e. How I am eager to learn, not afraid to seek help, and how my GPA is not necessarily reflective of who I am as a student or my ability to succeed in law school)

Thank you in advance everyone.

Hello everyone,

I am currently filling out a law school application form and there is a section that asks me, "Do you believe your LSAT score accurately represents your past performance or future promise?" If you bubble in "No," it gives you 1000 characters to explain yourself, and I believe this serves as the addendum because there is no section where you can upload a file to serve as an addendum.

I also understand that you should not write an addendum if you do not have a REALLY good reason other than wishing you had done better. At the end of the day, I did not get my desired score despite all my hard work. However, in my heart, I do not believe my LSAT score accurately represents my ability to succeed in law school. I feel like I should not write an addendum because I don't have a really good reason other than I underperformed.

Therefore, my question is:

Do you guys suggest I write within the 1000 characters given or should I just press "No?" If I press "No," will law schools see that and view it negatively (believing that I believe it accurately represents my ability to succeed)? I don't want to press "No" with a score below their median and have it hurt me or have them think negatively of me.

Thank you for reading this and for the replies I hope to get.