Addendum – Pre-Health/Pre-Law Advising Center

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  • Short essays that explain weaknesses in the application.
    • Gives prospective students a chance to address outstanding issues.
    • For re-applicants, the changes they made since the last time they applied to become a stronger applicant.
  • Common reasons (not limited to):
    • Low grades
    • Low LSAT/LSAT score variation
    • Withdrawal from classes
    • Discrepancies in your academic history
    • Mistakes on a prior application
    • Leave of absence in college
    • Academic misconduct
    • Disciplinary action in college
    • Criminal records (DUIs, felonies, etc.)

Just because an addendum can be written, should it be written?

Not always. It depends!

  • Important that the applicant's addendum does not sound like an excuse.
  • Should be written when there are unforeseen events causing and/or contributing to an issue.
Typical Structure

  • Keep each addendum under one page if possible.

    • Admissions officers read your personal statement, resume, and usually other supplemental essays. They do not want to read long addenda too.

  • Introduction
    • What are the facts?
    • Explain what happened. Include date(s) of the incident(s).
  • What caused the issue?
    • What was the cause and how did they respond?
  • How did they change?
    • What did you learn from this situation?
    • Has your behavior/thinking changed?
  • Conclusion
    • End on a positive note!
    • Be concise!
Tips
  • Related or similar incidents can be written in the same addendum
  • Be cautious of your tone
    • Do not force the reader to conform to their mindset
    • Let the reader make up their own mind
  • Keep the addendum as short as possible

If you would like the PAC Pre-Law Advisors to review your addendum, please feel free to email us your addendum at [email protected].

  • We will review your addendum and provide feedback during an advising session or by email

Information gathered from “The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum” by Peg Cheng. To purchase this guide, please visit www.prelaw-guru.com.

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