The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum
Copyright © 2013 Peggy “Peg” Cheng
www.prelaw-guru.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
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except in the case of brief quotations in a review.
The information in this book is true and complete to the best of the author’s knowledge.
The author disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information. Each
reader is responsible for his or her own choices, actions, and results.
Cover design by Marcus Donner.
You are welcome to use a short excerpt of this book for review purposes. For other
queries, contact [email protected].
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 1
GRATITUDE
Asking for help is one of the most valuable skills you can develop in life.
That said, I am so glad I asked for help from my editors Mike Ullmann and Caroline
Young Ullmann, and my readers Brenda Olson, Chanira Reang Sperry, and Marcus
Donner.
I am forever grateful to all of you for your kind and generous support, detailed critiques,
spot-on edits, and enduring friendship.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 2
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to all the pre-lawyers who have committed major mistakes and
experienced significant hardships and who refuse to let their past define them.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 5
When to Write an Addendum 6
How to Write an Addendum 7
Low Grades 8
Low LSAT Score 10
Withdrawal from Classes 12
Leave of Absence 14
Academic Misconduct 16
Disciplinary Action in College 18
Criminal Record 20
Minor in Possession (MIP) 20
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) 22
Felony 24
Regarding Criminal Record Addenda 26
Conclusion 27
Thank You 28
Need More Help? 29
About the Author 30
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 4
INTRODUCTION
During my first quarter of college, I was so happy to be away from my strict parents that
I spent more time wallowing in my newfound freedom than focusing on my studies.
Needless to say, it was a glorious first quarter.
Then I opened my report card. (Back in those days, they were still delivered by mail.)
I was in shock. I had earned a B- in German Analysis, a C+ in German Conversation, a D
in Chemistry, and an F in Calculus. My first quarter GPA was a 1.16!
To make matter worse, at the bottom of the card was typed, “Subject to Dismissal.”
Subject to dismissal? I thought. But I just got here!
Can you relate?
Do you have low grades on your transcript?
A low LSAT score?
A withdrawal from classes?
On a different note . . .
Did you receive a disciplinary action in college?
Do you have a DUI (driving under the influence) offense?
A felony?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, please know that you are not alone.
I wrote The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum just for YOU.
In this guide, I’ve described clear steps for writing an addendum: an additional essay to
explain weaknesses and issues in your law school application. And because I’m a
believer in best practices, I’ve also included nine sample essays for you to R&D (i.e.,
rob and duplicate).
Follow my simple and easy-to-understand steps and you will write a concise and
engaging addendum (or several) that will be of great benefit to your application.
Let’s get started!
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 5
WHEN TO WRITE AN ADDENDUM
I’ve advised thousands of law school applicants over the past 10 years, including six
years as a prelaw adviser at the University of Washington. I’ve heard more stories of
misfortunes, mistakes and hardships than you can shake a stick at. Because of this, I am
very experienced in helping people explain weaknesses in their law school applications.
Generally, weaknesses in your application are explained in a short essay called an
addendum. Addenda can be written for many reasons, including but not limited to:
• Low grades
• Low LSAT score
• Withdrawal from classes
• Leave of absence in college
• Academic misconduct
• Disciplinary action in college
• Criminal record
Just because an addendum can be written, should it be written?
Not always.
For example, I’ve met many applicants who have transcripts that show two initial years
of mediocre grades due to taking premed course requirements, as well as two later years
of excellent grades when they stopped taking premed courses. Law school admissions
officers can spot a “failed premed” from a mile away—they don’t necessarily need or
want you to explain it in an addendum.
But, was there something else that contributed to you getting low grades? Were you
working 40 hours at a job because your father was laid off at work? Did your mother fall
ill and you missed classes to visit her in the hospital? Did you contract mono and miss a
lot of class?
In the case of unforeseen events causing and/or contributing to an issue, you should
write an addendum.
If you’re not sure whether your issue should be explained, make an appointment to speak
with your college’s prelaw adviser or contact the admissions office at a law school. If you
want to remain anonymous when contacting a law school, call them rather than sending
an email.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 6
HOW TO WRITE AN ADDENDUM
The addendum is an additional essay. It is not meant to be long. Admissions officers
have to read your personal statement, resume, and usually other supplemental essays;
they do not want to read long addenda too.
Here’s how to structure your addendum in a clear and concise way:
INTRODUCTION: WHAT HAPPENED?
Stick with the facts and explain what happened. Remember to include dates (e.g., fall
2011) for when the event or incident happened.
MIDDLE: WHAT CAUSED IT? and HOW DID YOU CHANGE?
Explain what caused the issue or event and your reaction to it. How has your behavior
changed? How has your way of thinking changed? What did you learn?
CONCLUSION: END POSITIVE!
End your essay on an uplifting and positive note.
TONE
Avoid forcing the reader to conform to your perspective or mindset. Stick with the facts
and let the reader make up his or her own mind. When explaining how the event or
situation changed you, use the phrases “I believe . . .” and/or “I thought . . .”
LENGTH
The addendum should be one page or less. Being concise is hard work. Revise, revise,
revise! On occasion, an applicant has an issue that needs more than one page to explain,
but most of the time, keep it to one page.
If you have two issues that are interrelated, such as two transcript issues: a low grade
in one class and a withdrawal from another class, you can place them into one addendum.
FORMAT
Type and center your full name, the title of your essay (e.g., Transcript Addendum,
LSAT Addendum, Character & Fitness Addendum), and your LSAC number at the top.
As with most application essays, your addendum should have 1-inch margins, be
double-spaced, and be in a legible 11- or 12-point font such as Times New Roman.
SAMPLES
In the following chapters, you will find tips for writing about specific issues and a sample
essay (or two) for each. Use these essays as models for writing your own addendum.
In case you’re wondering: yes, each addendum is based on real students with real issues.
Names and situations have been altered to preserve anonymity.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 7
LOW GRADES
In my experience, low grades are the most common weakness faced by law school
applicants.
If you were ever on academic probation, were subject to dismissal, or have grade(s) at
the D or F level (0.0 to 1.5), you should write an addendum.
In the following addendum we meet Clara, who earned two low grades during her
sophomore year due to dealing with family issues. While your situation may not exactly
match Clara’s, you can learn from the way she explains her issues.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Clara cuts right to the chase and tells us
what the event was that caused problems: her parents’ divorce. She also gives the quarter
and year she received the low grades.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? In paragraph two, Clara explains the impact of the divorce,
which caused her to do poorly in her classes. She admits that she skipped class and was
depressed, but did not ask for help.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? Clara further explains what she wishes she had done and
what she changed the following quarter to take responsibility for her actions.
• END POSITIVE! In her last paragraph, Clara concludes with a positive note about the
higher grades she has earned since recovering from her parents’ divorce.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 8
Clara Wexler Transcript Addendum LSAC #: L12345678
In December 2010, after finishing the fall quarter of my sophomore year, my
parents told me they were separating. In the following quarter, in winter 2011, I ended up
earning a 1.0 in ESS 102: Space & Space Travel, and a 1.5 in ECON 300: Intermediate
Microeconomics.
I was depressed about my parents’ divorce and didn’t go to many classes during
winter quarter. Had I asked, my adviser could have helped me think over the option of
dropping my classes or changing them to a pass/no pass option. Ever since that quarter, I
started seeing my adviser every quarter to check in. I also started seeing a counselor at
the Counseling Center and it helped me a lot.
I take responsibility for the low grades that I earned during winter quarter 2011
and have learned from the experience. I believe that the five following quarters, where
my quarterly GPA ranges from a 3.5 to a 3.7, more accurately reflect my potential for law
school.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 9
LOW LSAT SCORE
In my experience, having a low LSAT score is the second most common weakness that
law school applicants encounter.
If you did not prep enough, or your nerves got to you on test day, you do not have a good
reason for writing an addendum.
But what if I suck at standardized tests?
You hear this a lot: if your LSAT score is low and so was your SAT score, you should
write an addendum. Actually, in most cases, you should not.
In 10 years of advising and teaching thousands of prelaw students, I have met only a
handful of people who had SAT scores low enough, and college GPAs high enough, to
constitute a valid addendum regarding poor test-taking ability.
Most people with low LSAT scores do not have a good enough reason for writing an
addendum.
However, if something happened that caused you to not do well on your test day, such as
an illness, car accident, sudden catastrophe or other unforeseen issue, then yes, you may
have good reason to write an addendum.
In the following addendum we meet Laila, who received a low LSAT score because she
was ill. While your situation may not exactly match Laila’s, you can learn from the way
she explains her issues.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Laila tells us about the event that caused
problems: getting the flu on test day. Laila also tells us the test date (month and year) and
what score she got. Do this: give specifics.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? We learn that Laila knew she was sick but still thought she
might have done ok on the test. It is not a great reason but it is an honest one.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? In this situation, Laila doesn’t change; she just admits
that she should have canceled her first LSAT.
• END POSITIVE! Laila gives us the good news that she took the LSAT again and
earned a 163.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 10
Laila Shin Hoo LSAT Addendum LSAC #: L98765432
I received a 149 on the June 2012 LSAT. I prepped for five months and was
testing in the 160s prior to the test. However, during the test, I felt woozy. By the time I
got home, I had a fever and ended up having the flu for a week.
During the LSAT, I thought I was just nervous, so I ignored my symptoms and
powered through. I decided to wait for my score and it ended up being much lower than I
thought it would be. In hindsight, I should have canceled my test.
I took the LSAT again in October 2012. This time, I was in good health. I believe
my second score of 163 is a more accurate reflection of my potential for law school.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 11
WITHDRAWAL FROM CLASSES
Any time you have a withdrawal on your college transcript, you need to explain it. The
withdrawal could be for one class, two classes, or all of your classes for the term.
In the following addendum we meet Noah, who withdrew from all his classes during
spring semester of his junior year. While your situation may not exactly match Noah’s,
you can learn from the way he explains his issues.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Noah explains that he withdrew from his
classes due to his aunt’s diagnosis of cancer. He also tells us the semester and year when
it happened.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? In the second paragraph, Noah explains his reaction to his
aunt’s diagnosis.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? By telling us how he cared for his aunt, Noah shows his
compassion and empathy. This experience has changed him and helped him grow as a
person.
• END POSITIVE! Noah concludes on a positive note by letting us know he returned to
school in the fall and continued to do well in his classes. And good news: Aunt Marie’s
cancer is in remission.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 12
Noah Theodorakis Transcript Addendum LSAC #: L23423423
In spring 2012, during my junior year of college, I withdrew from all of my
classes. My Aunt Marie was receiving treatment for cancer and I had a difficult time
concentrating on my studies. After taking my midterms, I realized that I was not doing
well in any of my courses and I decided to withdraw.
When I found out my aunt had cancer, I was distraught. Aunt Marie is like a
mother to me. I visited her every day while she was going through chemotherapy and
radiation, and also cooked and cleaned her house for her. My aunt took care of me when I
was younger while my parents were working. I felt that giving her support during her
cancer treatment was the right thing to do.
The following fall I returned to being a full-time student and earned a 3.8 GPA. I
have no other withdrawals on my transcript and I am happy to report that my aunt’s
cancer is in remission.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 13
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Sometimes things happen that cause you to have to leave college for a while. It could be
for one term, a year, several years, or even longer. Whatever the length, if you have a
leave of absence on your college transcript, you need to explain it in an addendum.
How is a leave of absence different from a withdrawal?
A withdrawal is when you drop your class(es) while you are enrolled. (See previous
chapter for an example of a withdrawal addendum.)
A leave of absence is when you do not enroll in classes for the following term, or you
drop your classes before the term begins.
In the following addendum we meet Logan, who takes a leave of absence from college
for one year. While your situation may not exactly match Logan’s, you can learn from the
way he explains his issues.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Logan explains that he took a leave of
absence in order to work full time to help his family.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? In the second paragraph, Logan explains why it was important
that he leave school to help his family.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? Also in the second paragraph, Logan admits he was
miserable working full time. But, positive change was coming.
• END POSITIVE! Logan tells us he was so grateful to be back in school that he focused
more on studying and improved his GPA considerably during his last two years.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 14
Logan Pulaski Transcript Addendum LSAC #: L34534534
In spring 2010, during my sophomore year of college, my father was laid off from
his job. I dropped my courses for the following term in order to work and help my parents
pay the bills. I took a leave of absence for one year from fall 2010 to fall 2011.
When my father lost his job, my brother was nine and my sister was seven. My
mother was a homemaker and had not had a paying job in over 10 years. When my dad
still did not find a job after several months, I felt I had to do something. I work in
construction during the summer. I told my supervisor what was going on and luckily, he
was able to keep me on full time. Even though I felt that I did the right thing leaving
school and helping my family, working full time in construction for an entire year made
me very tired and miserable.
After a year of searching, my father was able to find a new job and I reenrolled in
school. I really appreciated being a student again. I focused hard on my studies and raised
my overall GPA from 3.3 to 3.6 in two years. Looking back, I am now grateful for my
year away. It taught me responsibility and hard work, allowed me to give back to my
parents, and helped me appreciate my education a lot more.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 15
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
I remember one of my high school English teachers had a huge banner in his classroom
that said, CHEATERS CHEAT THEMSELVES. It was a bit over the top, but in the end,
he was right. Cheaters do cheat themselves.
In the following addendum you will meet Nate, who was found guilty of cheating during
his freshman year of college. While your situation may not exactly match Nate’s, you can
learn from the way he explains his issues.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Nate tells us what happened, when it
happened, and the consequences of his actions. When it comes to difficult matters, don’t
beat around the bush—just relate what happened as quickly as possible.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? In the following paragraphs, Nate gives some background on
the cheating incident.
By the way, you might think Nate’s punishment is unfair since he wasn’t the actual
cheater. But this scenario actually happened while I was an adviser at the University of
Washington. And yes, Nate was punished along with Jared, the actual cheater.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? Nate realized Jared was not his friend. He also realized
that computer science was not the major for him and instead found a match in
philosophy.
Notice how Nate also mentions his major GPA of 3.7. It’s good that he pointed out his
major GPA since a “0.0” in his CSE 142 certainly brought down his overall GPA.
• END POSITIVE! In conclusion, Nate takes responsibility for the mistake that he made
and lets us know he had no other infractions during the rest of his three years in college.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 16
Nate Baumbach Academic Misconduct Addendum LSAC #: L45645645
In winter 2010, during my freshman year in college, I was found guilty of
academic misconduct in CSE 142: Computer Programming. I failed the class and was
placed on academic probation for spring 2010.
When I was taking this class, my friend Jared and I would study together to help
each other learn the concepts. One day we were working on a coding assignment in my
room, and after a few hours, I left to buy some snacks. I left my work up on my laptop.
The next week, my professor called Jared and me into his office and accused us of
cheating. A week later, Jared and I met with the Dean’s Representative for Academic
Misconduct. Jared admitted that he had copied my code. After much discussion, we were
both found guilty: Jared for cheating and me for giving him the opportunity to cheat.
I grew up a lot after this incident. I was naïve in thinking that my friend was not
going to look at my work while I was out of the room. Turns out he was not much of a
friend. After taking CSE 142, I also realized that I was not interested in coding and didn’t
want to major in computer science. The following quarter I took philosophy and enjoyed
it. I became a philosophy major and graduated with a major GPA of 3.7.
I take responsibility for my mistake. I learned to take academic misconduct, and
the potential for misconduct, very seriously. I have not had any misconduct issues in my
following three years in college and do not intend to have any incidents in the future.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 17
DISCIPLINARY ACTION IN COLLEGE
Sometimes we make a mistake in college and it leads to a disciplinary action such as
community service, a formal warning, probation, suspension or expulsion.
If you received any disciplinary actions in college, you need to write an addendum.
In the following addendum we meet Anna, who made a mistake during her freshman
year and was placed on probation. While your situation may not exactly match Anna’s,
you can learn from the way she explains her issues.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Anna lays out what she did and the
quarter and year when it happened.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? Kudos to Anna for honestly admitting she threw the party
because she was young, stupid, and arrogant.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? Anna learned that short-term decisions can turn into
long-term consequences. She changed her behavior regarding underage drinking,
showing maturity and growth.
• END POSITIVE! Anna lets us know that she has completed her alcohol awareness
online course and her year of probation without any further incidents. She also relates she
had no other disciplinary actions for the rest of her three years in college.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 18
Anna Windkloppel Misconduct Addendum LSAC #: L56565656
In spring 2009, at the end of my freshman year, two of my friends and I threw an
end-of-the-year party for our residence hall. One of my friends had a fake I.D. and bought
alcohol for the party. Everyone was under 21. Our residence hall director broke up the
party, and the following week I was placed on one year of probation and had to complete
an Alcohol 101 online course.
Before the party, my freshman year had gone very well. I planned the party with
my friends because I was young, stupid, and arrogant. Because of this incident, I’ve
thought more carefully about my actions. For the rest of my time in college, whenever I
went to a campus party and saw there was underage drinking, I would leave. I caught flak
from my friends, but I didn’t care—I knew I was doing the right thing.
I successfully completed the alcohol awareness online course and my year of
probation without any incidents. I have had no other conduct issues during my remaining
three years of college.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 19
CRIMINAL RECORD
In most cases, any time that you have broken the law, including traffic violations,
misdemeanors and felonies, you will need to write an addendum.
However, read the directions carefully for each law school application.
Directions for explaining criminal matters are usually described under the “Character &
Fitness” or “Misconduct” sections of the law school application. Some schools want you
to detail everything including traffic violations, while others prefer that you not explain
anything that has been expunged from your record.
Every law school is different, so make sure you follow the directions for each one.
Because there are many different kinds of criminal matters, this section includes three
different addenda on three different situations:
• Minor in possession of alcohol (MIP)
• Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI)
• Felony charge with jail time
In the following addendum we meet Yari, who was cited for an MIP: minor in
possession of alcohol. While your situation may not exactly match Yari’s, you can learn
from the way he explains his offense.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Yari tells us about his MIP offense, when
it happened, and what kind of punishment he received. He cuts to the chase quickly and
concisely, which is exactly what you want to do.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? Yari honestly admits that he was young and stupid.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? Yari says the offense has caused him to think more
carefully about his decisions and actions.
• END POSITIVE! Yari ends on a positive note by pointing out his clean record for the
past four years.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 20
Yari Eastman Character & Fitness Addendum LSAC #: L78978978
In June 2009, the summer after I graduated from high school, I was cited for
being a minor in possession (MIP) of alcohol. MIP charges in Washington, D.C., are
considered misdemeanors. I pled guilty to the misdemeanor offense, paid a fine of $300,
and my driver’s license was suspended for 90 days.
I made a very stupid mistake at age 17. I regret what I did and have thought very
carefully about my actions ever since then, especially when it comes to drugs and
alcohol. Except for this offense, I have had a clean record for the past four years and
throughout my college career. I accept responsibility for this offense and do not intend to
commit any other offenses in the future.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 21
DUI
The crime of drunk driving is usually referred to as DUI: driving under the influence.
You can also be arrested for driving under the influence of other mind- or body-altering
drugs such as marijuana, illegal drugs and/or prescription medication.
In the following addendum we meet Janice, who was cited for driving under the
influence of alcohol. While your situation may not exactly match Janice’s, you can learn
from the way she explains her offense.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Janice relates the facts: what she was
arrested for, when it happened, where it happened, and her punishment. I have said this
many times, but it bears repeating: stick with the facts in your introduction.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? In the second paragraph, Janice admits she made a terrible
mistake and explains how she ended up driving under the influence.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? Janice explains that she no longer drives after drinking
alcohol, and she designates a driver if she does drink. She states clearly how she has
changed her behavior for the better.
• END POSITIVE! Janice concludes by letting us know she’s had a clean record for the
past three years.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 22
Janice Ford Character & Fitness Addendum LSAC #: L90909090
On August 17, 2010, in Walnut Creek, California, at the age of 22, I was arrested
for driving under the influence of alcohol. I paid a fine of $800 and my driver’s license
was suspended for four months. After I attended a 30-hour alcohol and drug education
program, my license suspension was reduced to one month and I was allowed five
months of restricted driving privileges.
I made a terrible mistake by driving home after drinking at a restaurant with my
co-workers. Even though I had just one mixed drink, I didn’t take into account the
amount of alcohol in this drink and the little amount of food I had that night. I learned
from my mistake and have chosen to never drive after having an alcoholic drink. If I do
drink, I make sure to always have a designated driver.
Except for this one offense, I have had a clean record for the past three years. I
accept responsibility for this offense and do not intend to commit any other offenses in
the future.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 23
FELONY
If you have a felony on your record, you need to write an addendum.
In the following addendum we meet Nic, who was found guilty of grand theft auto.
While your situation may not exactly match Nic’s, you can learn from the way he
explains his offense.
THINGS TO NOTICE:
• WHAT HAPPENED? In the first paragraph, Nic reveals all the facts: what he was
arrested for, when it happened, where it happened, and his punishment.
You want to do the same thing. Do not try to explain why it happened in your
introduction—just give us the facts.
• WHAT CAUSED IT? In the second paragraph, Nic honestly describes how he fell in
with the wrong crowd and why he made those choices.
• HOW DID YOU CHANGE? In the third paragraph, Nic explains that after completing
his jail time and community service, he moved in with his older brother and started
seriously pursuing his education. Do what Nic did and make sure you explain how you
have changed your behavior for the better.
• END POSITIVE! Nic concludes by letting us know he’s had a clean record for the past
five years and believes he’s ready for the rigors of law school.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 24
Nic Crow Misconduct Addendum LSAC #: L67891234
On May 5, 2008, in Spokane, Washington, at the age of 21, I was arrested for
grand theft auto. In Washington state, theft of a motor vehicle is considered a class B
felony. I pleaded guilty, paid a fine of $2,000, spent 60 days in jail, and completed 100
hours of community service.
I grew up in a part of Spokane where it was considered “normal” to commit petty
crimes and run around with gangs by the time you’re in middle school. I stayed out of
trouble thanks to my older brother Jake. But when Jake moved to the other side of the
state, I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. I was immature and wanted to be
accepted by my friends, and that led to some very bad decisions.
A few months after completing my sentence and community service, I moved in
with my brother in Seattle and enrolled at North Seattle Community College. Being away
from my old neighborhood allowed me to start a new life. I earned my associate degree
and transferred to the University of Washington where I recently completed my Bachelor
of Arts in History with a 3.45 GPA.
I am no longer the rash person who stole a car just to be accepted by his friends. I
am a college graduate with dreams of becoming a public defense attorney. I have had a
clean record for the past five years. I believe that my academic achievements show that
I’m ready for the challenge of law school.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 25
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING
CRIMINAL RECORD ADDENDA
For each addendum featured in the last chapter, the applicants had a clean record for three
years or more. That is because I want to show you best practices for writing your
addendum.
It would not be a best practice if I showed you an addendum where someone was arrested
for DUI three months ago and he or she was already applying to law school. In three
months, his or her driver’s license might still be suspended. This person would not have
the time and experience to show how he or she has changed for the better.
If you want the strongest and best application for law school, you have to be willing to
take the time to build up your strengths.
You must provide clear, logical evidence that your past offenses are not a reflection of
your potential for law school. One of the best ways to show that is to show how you have
changed for the better over several years.
The more time you place between your arrest and when you apply to law school, the
better.
Do not lose heart if you have to postpone applying to law school. Law schools aren’t
going anywhere. They will be there for you when the time is right.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 26
CONCLUSION
Cornel West, one of America’s most loved and respected intellectuals, often says, “We
are all cracked vessels.”
I could not agree more. We all make mistakes. We all go through hardships. We are all
cracked vessels.
Things happen—good and bad and everything in between—and it is up to us to learn how
to deal with it. We must do the right thing, even when the right thing is the hardest thing
to do.
Being subject to dismissal after my first quarter of college depressed the hell out of me.
But I picked myself up and the following quarter I went to every class, every optional
study session hosted by my teaching assistants, and I studied my ass off. That quarter I
earned a 3.0 overall GPA, including a B- in the calculus class that I had failed the first
time. I was ecstatic.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing from there. I had many ups and downs during my college
career including personal hardships, family breakdowns, and difficulties in the classroom.
Still, I kept trying.
In the end, I graduated college with a 3.0 overall GPA (seems low compared to what is
considered a “good” GPA now) and earned a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship in Public
Policy that paid for both years of tuition for my master’s degree, along with a living
stipend for my first year. I graduated with my MPA with zero debt.
If you had told me after I received my first college report card that I was going to end up
earning practically a full ride to graduate school, I would have laughed you out of the
door! It just goes to show: you can’t let your past mistakes and hardships define you.
Move forward.
Keep trying.
You can do it!
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 27
THANK YOU
You didn’t have to read this book, but you did. For this, I am grateful.
I appreciate your patronage and I hope that I’ve made your path to writing a law school
addendum easier, more straightforward, and even empowering.
If you enjoyed this book, do me a small favor to help spread the word and write a short
review on the site where you purchased it. Thank you!
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 28
NEED MORE HELP?
What questions do you still have?
What do you need help with?
What did I miss?
I’d love to continue helping you in your journey of applying to law school. I’d also love
to hear what you thought of this book.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at [email protected].
Also, you might be interested in my other books.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Application Timeline
In this ultimate prelaw survival guide, law school admissions expert
Peg Cheng explains the law school application timeline from start to
finish, including how and when to: study for the LSAT; ask for letters
of recommendation; write a personal statement, and so much more!
With Peg’s help, you’ll successfully complete your law school
application on time and with confidence.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Resume
Many people turn in generic, lazily written resumes with their law
school applications. Don’t be one of those people! Law school
admissions expert Peg Cheng has more than 20 years of experience
working on resumes. With Peg’s help, you’ll create a stellar resume
that admissions officers will LOVE to read. Includes four sample
resumes.
To purchase, visit http://books.prelaw-guru.com.
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 29
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peg Cheng is the founder of Prelaw Guru. Peg loves helping people kick ass on their law
school applications.
Why? Because a kick-ass application can help you get into great law schools versus good
schools, and can help you earn a scholarship instead of zip.
Peg developed her killer advising and editing skills through serving for more than 10
years as a prelaw adviser and career counselor at the University of Washington (UW).
During her time there, she led the most comprehensive prelaw advising program the UW
has ever seen. In 2010, Peg left the UW to launch her law school admissions company,
Prelaw Guru.
From Hawaii to Harvard, Peg has helped thousands of people get into the law schools of
their dreams and she can help YOU too.
Peg lives in Seattle with her husband Marcus. When she’s not helping pre-lawyers
traverse the treacherous seas of law school admissions, she’s binge-watching Netflix,
trying not to kill off the plants in her garden, and writing a few stories of her own.
To connect with Peg, visit her at any of the following:
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.prelaw-guru.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/prelawguru
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepegcheng
Peg also has a popular blog for pre-lawyers.
Subscribe at: http://prelaw-guru.com/blog/
The No B.S. Guide to the Law School Addendum Page 30
