Should I write an Addenda?

[dneuman]

Hi!

Basically, I want to explain about 8-9 summer college classes that I took from the age of 13 to 16. While they are mostly B's with a few A's, so not terrible grades, they are still lower than most of the grades I earned during my main 4 years of college (where I posted mostly A's.) I just want to make sure that they see the the cause of the discrepancy between the GPA I earned in college, and the lower GPA I'm guessing I will have when LSAC factors in those early courses (many of which never even counted towards my college credits). What do you think? Up until now I was very certain of writing one, until somebody I know suggested maybe not to.

Thanks so much

Daniel

[David Boyle]

Hi!

Basically, I want to explain about 8-9 summer college classes that I took from the age of 13 to 16. While they are mostly B's with a few A's, so not terrible grades, they are still lower than most of the grades I earned during my main 4 years of college (where I posted mostly A's.) I just want to make sure that they see the the cause of the discrepancy between the GPA I earned in college, and the lower GPA I'm guessing I will have when LSAC factors in those early courses (many of which never even counted towards my college credits). What do you think? Up until now I was very certain of writing one, until somebody I know suggested maybe not to.

Thanks so much

Daniel

Hello dneuman,

It is up to you. But why did someone suggest you shouldn't? Interesting.
If you think you can make a good explanation in the addendum (e.g., "I was young and dumb, not even college age yet, so of course I didn't do well in the courses then"), then it could be profitable to write one. If there isn't a good explanation, then maybe it wouldn't be as good an idea. (By the way, are you sure LSAC is going to factor them in at all, at least on the level of your college-age college courses?)

Hope this helps,
David

[dneuman]

Thanks David for the reply!

I called and they said that they would factor it in. I suppose I will have to wait until my final transcripts show up before I see the definitive GPA. But I suspect since there are a decent chunk of B's with only a couple A's, my GPA will drop a bit.

I guess the thing I'm getting at, is could this hurt me in some way? I AM thinking of going along the lines of being young and not at my "full academic potential." Maybe giving a reason or two why I wasn't at my best during those early years (I.e I was homeschooled, so took some time to get into full swing of things). What do you think overall? Does this sound alright?

Thanks!


P.S The person suggested not to send it because he said Admins will see the classes are from earlier years and figure all of this out themselves. My thinking is too make sure they get it, and even if they realize this, to reinforce the point, since I would like them to pay at least a little more attention to my College GPA instead/or in addition to the LSAC GPA.


And since I just remembered, a final couple of Resume questions... Would I mention a title like Magnum Cumlaude on my resume? Also, I worked a job teaching tennis this last summer. Since my work experience is a bit slim (as well as my academic experience) I would like to include this in the resume, maybe to also show that I play tennis... Would this be okay, since it's just a summer job?

Hopefully this doesn't overwhelm you! The questions kept flowing

Thanks!

Daniel

[Dave Killoran]

Hey Daniel,

Let me chime in here on those grades: definitely write the addendum. I'm not normally a fan of addendums about lower than average GPAs, but you have a unique exception: these weren't true college grades because you were aged 13-16 years when you took those classes! It's kind of a joke to me that they get included in your overall uGPA, but I suppose you got credit so I see their point. Regardless, it's a truly compelling explanation for a bunch of grades that are about to lower your GPA, and they need to hear it. A 13-year-old posting a B in a college credit class? Looks like a high achiever to me, not a loser. Write it, and don't look back—this explanation will only help you

Side note: the person who gave you the advice had great intentions, and I see their point. But, you don't want to make the adcomms work for something like this, especially when it is having a meaningful impact on your numbers, and it's the kind of impact that would be quickly discounted if they knew the reason for it. Don't leave it to chance.

As for the resume, put the Magna down for sure. I'd put the tennis instruction down too, but honestly only to show that you used your time doing something. The fact that you played tennis won't matter to them. It could be bowling or teaching art for all they care about the specific activity. Generally, if your activity is what we'd consider to be fairly standard, then what you did doesn't matter to them, only that you did it. It only matters what it is if it is truly unique, like BASE jumping or research in the Antarctic.

Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!

[dneuman]

Thanks again Dave for an awesome answer.
Will work on putting together all of it.

Daniel