Disability and LSAT/Law School

[Lawheart]

I have questions on disabilities and LSAT and law school. I don't know wether I should ask them here or not. Is there a personal way to ask? Or just throw caution to the wind and ask here?

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Lawheart,

I've answered multiple questions here about the LSAT and accommodations, and am extremely well-versed in the process. As far as law school and disabilities, less so, but I'm happy to either try to answer it or refer you to the the proper person.

Thanks!

[Lawheart]

My question is whether it is beneficial or hurtful in applying for an accommodation for a disability on the LSAT. I have a narcolepsy. I am beginning treatment for it starting tomorrow. I am worried if I apply for an acommendation for disability this will make me undesirable to be a candidate for law school when the admissions board see it. Is that true? Even though I have always dealt with it and have accomplished college with a 3.9 GPA ,home-schooled my children while working full-time job .I have always knew something was wrong but didn't know what. When I take LSAT practice test I struggle through it. Should I write an addendum if things go horribly wrong on September 8th and my LSAT score is not what I wanted to be? Is an addendum on your application bad? How bad is having a disability to law school admission boards? I have never let this stop me before. I am scared this may stop me from achieving my dream of going to law. Should I just keep quite about it? What is an accommodation anyway. I've never had anyone accommodate anything for me.

[Lawheart]

I tired to look for some of the post on accomadations in the search bar. I wasn't successful. Are there any on the Powerscore blog?


*Edit* NVM I found some articles.

Thanks

[Dave Killoran]

Ok, a few thoughts:

First, you should DEFINITELY apply for accommodations on the LSAT. There is no harm whatsoever to doing so, and your score is not flagged to the law schools. They won't know unless you tell them.

Second, I'm a strong believer in the power of thinking positively, and so I don't even want to talk about the idea of things not going well. Let's come to that bridge when it occurs, if at all. That said, addenda are commonplace, and if they answer a legit question in the app, they can be tremendously useful.

Third, law schools are familiar with addressing disabilities, and don't let it affect them when making decisions. It's not going to be "held against you," and that's even moreso the case given you attained a 3.9 already. you can clearly do the work.

Last, as to whether to disclose it to them, it depends, Maybe it's a great personal statement topic, or maybe it's not something you need to talk about though. It really depends on how the profile of your entire shapes up, which is obviously something we can't see here. But, by itself, it's not a topic that must be avoided.

Thanks!