LSAT Addendum for almost 10 pt drop?

[admit2018]

Hi!

I scored a 156 in Dec, but 148 in Feb. I only had a couple weeks to prepare because I left my job and took care of my mom because she had a surgery. Then I came down with the flu and then I got food poisoning. Honestly, horrible timing and circumstances. I was scoring in the mid-160s with my PTs before but I didn't have a lot of time to prep for the Feb exam because of everything going on.

Should I send an addendum, and if so, what should I write? Are the templates or anything?

Also, I used your self study plan for December and then used a live online course for Feb. What do you recommend I do now, maybe combine self-study with the videos I have from the course?

Thank you!!!

[Adam Tyson]

No need for an addendum for the Feb score, admit2018, as your high score is what matters, and that hasn't changed. Get back into a self-study plan for June (and July as a backup), and see what you can do to figure out what you are doing differently in your practice tests compared to the scored tests. Are you doing five sections by adding an extra section to simulate the experimental section? Are you being strict with the timing? Taking the practice tests away from home in a somewhat quiet environment that simulates real testing conditions? What else is different, and what can you do to make it more like the real thing?

Think especially about whether you are continuing to use the strategies and techniques you've been studying when the real test happens, or if you are abandoning those under test conditions? That happens a lot due to test anxiety. Stick to your fundamentals, remember to identify conclusions, prephrase answers, sort losers from contenders, and apply appropriate strategies when trying to determine which contender is best. Don't freak out and forget your training!

You should still have access to the Online Student Center, so use those resources. Review and practice!

[admit2018]

I've read that I should address it because it's such a significant drop especially in terms of percentiles. I'm applying to a lot of T30 schools so I feel like I should send one anyways. Would it reflect negatively if I did submit one?

[Adam Tyson]

It depends on whether it ends up sounding like you are just making excuses, or if it comes across as a legitimate explanation about some unusual circumstances. Depending on how you present it, your circumstances could sound pretty bad - "I didn't prepare adequately, and I didn't feel good" would not be the way to sell yourself! Consider how you will address the concerns they are likely to have, such as "if you hadn't adequately prepared, why didn't you withdraw until you had time to better prepare?" It's all in how you craft the message. A badly written addendum might have a negative impact; a well-written one might help.

That said, I don't see much good coming out of an addendum in your case. If your other numbers are good, and your "softs" in your application are the sort of thing that will get you accepted into a T30 program notwithstanding your highest LSAT being below their median, then an addendum for this score won't matter. If they aren't, an addendum for this score also won't matter. What WILL matter is raising that score up by taking it again in June and/or July, for which you must practice and prepare diligently. Score above their median and your prior scores will be forgiven and forgotten. That's where I would focus my energy if I was in your shoes.

I, however, am NOT one of PowerScore's brilliant and qualified Admissions experts - I'm an expert on the LSAT itself, and that's all. To tap into those great minds, if you have any further doubts, consider looking into our Admissions Consulting packages: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/law-school-admissions/

I wish I could be more help! Best of luck come June, and with the applications you already have out there!

[admit2018]

I've already sent applications out for this cycle, so the June/July administration will be extremely late for this cycle.

If I don't get accepted to the schools that I'm applying to then I'll take the later administration, but for now, I'm focusing on what to do with the applications I'm sending out and the ones that have already been sent out. That's why I'm asking if I should send out an addendum for this cycle, sorry if my first post made it seem like I was asking if I should send an addendum with applications for the next cycle and not this one!

[Adam Tyson]

No, that much was clear, and while June is too late for most schools this cycle, it is not too late to have some influence should you end up waitlisted somewhere, which is the real worry here. Your applications under consideration right now will be based on the higher score, and an addendum regarding the lower one will likely have little to no impact on their decision. You will either be accepted based on the 156 (yay, no problem!), waitlisted (an increase in June might help there), or rejected (in which case an addendum probably won't get you back onto a waitlist or accepted). Focus on what you can control right now, and prepare for June. If you get waitlisted, it might make the difference. If you end up having to reapply for Fall 2019, you'll have a head start.

For more info about the value of taking the test again in June, see this:

https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/which- ... -june-lsat

and about retakes, see this:

https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/who-sh ... e-the-lsat