When applying to the law schools of their dreams, students want to present the best versions of themselves before the admission committees. Even with a good score on the LSAT or GRE, a GPA might be the misfit that is staining your law school application. A GPA addendum provides an avenue in which students explain to the admission committee that the transcript does not reflect the current version of themselves. In this blog, our law expert professionals will promulgate what to include and how to set the right tone for GPA addenda.
The Meaning and Scope of a GPA Addendum
Law school addenda generally refers to brief explanations of any disparities in law school student applications. A GPA addendum, also known as the transcript addendum, specifically entails details such as low grades, inconsistent class attendance, and many more related details. A good addendum should not be more than a page, with the utmost three paragraphs. While these addenda may only be written to address certain needed contexts, they may also be provided to address potential discrepancies in student applications.
Circumstances That Warrant a GPA Addendum
GPA addenda can only be helpful to students when written in the most pertinent situations. Otherwise, they are likely to cause more harm than good. When is it necessary for students to write this addenda? The following are some of the most befitting circumstances:
- Complex transcripts – some students may attend several institutions or institutions without standard systems of grading. Such students may attach GPA addenda to help the admission committees understand their transcripts.
- Poor grades – students may need to write addenda to inform the admission committees of rough semesters or courses that resulted in GPAs. These addenda provide a golden opportunity to explain what transpired.
- Class withdrawals or absence leaves – students with their transcripts showing course withdrawals or absence leaves may write GPA addenda to inform the committee of the reasons for the departures.
How to Write a Convincing GPA Addendum?
While it may seem like a simple task, writing a good GPA addendum is a really challenging task. One of the most significant rubrics students must observe is their tone. Rather than provide excuses for their GPA, students should use these addenda to write pieces that complement their applications. The tone used is what separates the two. To write an effective GPA addendum, our law experts propose the following components:
An Explanation
Students should begin their addenda by stating facts and expressing issues they want to write about. Closely after this, they should offer explanations of the circumstances that contributed to these issues. While at it, students should be keen on maintaining a neutral tone. Most importantly, they should provide explanatory but not excusatory statements.
The Aftermath
In this section, students should explain how the issues that occurred affected their performance at the time. How did they affect their GPA? Students should be keen to write this section as a cause-and-effect essay. While students may need to personalize this part, they should be keen not to be too defensive. This means they should not shift the blame to other people.
The Lesson
Students utilize this section to reflect on their new versions. For a GPA addendum, they may need to mention the courses in which they performed poorly. Additionally, they highlight upward trends and the measures they have taken to improve the courses. Students should only provide the necessary details. Otherwise, they should offer to answer any questions or provide more details should the admission committee request. These details should be captured in the admission. Students should also be keen to ensure that the wrapping-up statements are positive.
The Length and Tone of GPA Addenda
Each of the addenda issues should be a maximum of three sentences. Learners should observe the clarity and precision of facts by keeping their details short and to the point. As for the tone, students should employ a professional and objective tone. They should avoid flowery language, sympathetic tones, or bad attitudes at all costs. Before submission, students should proofread their work to ensure no grammatical mistakes for easy readability.
Secure Your Spot at Your Dream Law School
A GPA addendum allows students to explain any discrepancies on their transcripts. Students who write these addenda effectively achieve the goal of presenting better versions of themselves before the admission committee. A good GPA requires students to adhere to the proper format, length, and tone. Hire our Doctor of Juridical Science to begin your journey in this lucrative career path.
