Addendums: Law School Application Tips | Widener Law Commonwealth in Harrisburg, PA

Application Tips with Dean Benfield

Widener Law Commonwealth's Former Associate Dean of Admissions and Administration explains what an addendum is and why it is helpful to include one with an application.

It is not unusual for there to be “problems” with an application. If that is the case you want to be sure to explain the “problem.” The most common problems are either a low GPA or a low LSAT. A brief addendum can be used to address the issue.

Law schools are looking at the cumulative GPA, if you had a bad first year of college, and that has brought your GPA down, you need to explain what happened. Were the low grades due to immaturity, poor time management, selecting the wrong major? If so, tell the Admissions Office and then explain how you have turned things around; the proof will be in the improving GPA as evidenced on the transcript.

Many applicants have a very solid GPA, but their LSAT is low. You should explain your LSAT to the Admissions Office. Often background information can be helpful. How did you do in high school? How did you do on the SAT or the ACT? Did your high school grades provide colleges with a better predictor of your abilities than the standardized test? How did you prepare for the LSAT? How did you do on the diagnostic test you took? How many sample LSATs did you take in preparing for the actual test?

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