Leaves of Absence

[kvb]

I have 2 consecutive leaves of absence on my transcript. I wrote an addendum to explain why, but now I'm wondering if I need to include it. What do you think?

Addendum:

In 2015 I started Syracuse University’s Teaching and Curriculum Program with the intent of using that degree to become an assistive technology specialist and work with schools to match students with the correct assistive technology. As part of my coursework, I took Disability Law in the Fall of 2016. After completing the course, I thought I might want to go to law school instead and took a leave of absence to consider my options.

If I accepted into SU Law, I intend to apply for a M.S. in Disabilities Studies during my first year. Although I had a month left to study for the LSAT, I decided to use my status as a student in Teaching and Curriculum to take a class that will count towards the Disability Studies degree in the Spring of 2018. However, I had put off many personal tasks while studying for the LSAT, and so decided to withdraw and take another leave of absence to focus on them.

[Dave Killoran]

I have 2 consecutive leaves of absence on my transcript. I wrote an addendum to explain why, but now I'm wondering if I need to include it. What do you think?

Addendum:

In 2015 I started Syracuse University’s Teaching and Curriculum Program with the intent of using that degree to become an assistive technology specialist and work with schools to match students with the correct assistive technology. As part of my coursework, I took Disability Law in the Fall of 2016. After completing the course, I thought I might want to go to law school instead and took a leave of absence to consider my options.

If I accepted into SU Law, I intend to apply for a M.S. in Disabilities Studies during my first year. Although I had a month left to study for the LSAT, I decided to use my status as a student in Teaching and Curriculum to take a class that will count towards the Disability Studies degree in the Spring of 2018. However, I had put off many personal tasks while studying for the LSAT, and so decided to withdraw and take another leave of absence to focus on them.

Hi KVB,

Thanks for posting this! I'd keep working on this in order to make it as strong as possible. Right now, you are conveying a sense of uncertainty to the admissions committee, and typically adcomms don't like uncertainty I've noted above some problem points by putting them in italics—the first one in particular makes it seem like you just up and changed your mind. From my reading, it really sounds like you don't 100% know what you want to do, and I know that's not what you want to convey to them. So, I'd rework this a bit, both to eliminate that uncertainty and also to shore up that second explanation, because schools don't often feel that "personal tasks" are an excuse because everyone has them. you either need to move in a different direction or get more specific so they understand that it wasn't just a set of small things that made you step back.

Thanks!

[kvb]

Thanks, Dave! I'll work on the parts you italicized. But my question had 2 parts, and I wasn't clear about that. While I posted the addendum for you to see, I was wondering if I really need to include it. Do I need to explain why there are two consecutive leaves?

By the way, I was struggling with my personal statement, and your video seminar really helped me. Thanks so much!

[Alex Bodaken]

kvb,

Dave could answer this one with a bit more experience, but my opinion is that yes, two leaves of absence on a resume warrants an addendum. As Dave mentions, adcomms don't like uncertainty, and so anything that gives them confidence that they know exactly the type of student they are getting (which I think your addendum helps to provide) is helpful.

Hope that helps!
Alex

[kvb]

Thanks, Alex!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi KVB,

Sorry I wasn't clearer in my response! In discussing working on it to make it better, I meant to also say that I felt it was worth explaining. Better to ease their minds about what's going on, because you don't want them questioning your commitment to completing law school.

Also, so glad the video seminar helped! That's gratifying to hear

[kvb]

Thanks, Dave.