Question of the Week - December

December 26, 2007, Happy Holidays - Taking a break, check back next week!

December 19, 2007

Q: I received an MIP a few years ago, but my record was expunged. Do I still need to disclose that in my application?

A: Lewis & Clark does not ask you to disclose expunged records, but some schools may, so the short answer is yes.

Here’s the long answer. All law schools have a question on their application that deals with your “criminal” history. It is important that you reveal this in your application fully and truthfully. Even if a record has been cleared, erased, dismissed, whatever the term, it is best to reveal more, rather than less, information. In most cases, the criminal history will not be severe enough to impact a decision on a file, especially if it's been expunged. The real concern is that you’re being honest about your background. When you register to take a state bar exam after law school, the bar examiners will do very thorough background checks. If they find discrepancies between your background and your application, it can be a big problem. Dishonesty is not a good start to a legal career.

When submitting an addendum to explain academic sanctions or criminal history, admissions committees are expecting you to provide the dates, circumstances, and outcomes of the situation. They are also expecting that you address what you learned from the experience. Many people list just the facts and don’t take the time to reflect on the situation; this is a mistake to avoid.

December 12, 2007

Q: I just took the December LSAT and don’t think I did very well. Should I cancel my score and retake it again in February?

This is a question we get every year at this time. While you have a couple of options, the answer will be entirely up to you.

Option 1: Wait to see what score you received on the test and then decide if you want to retake it. Multiple scores will be viewed by the admissions committee, but the emphasis will be placed on the highest score received.

Option 2: Cancel your score and sign up for the February exam. Canceling your score means that you will never know what you received on the exam. You may want to consider this option if you were sick the day of the exam, could not concentrate because of something going on in your personal life, you froze and left large sections of questions unanswered.

As mentioned in a previously asked question (see October 18th), taking a February exam can put you at some disadvantage.

If you do decide to retake the test, make sure to sign up right away as spaces can fill up quickly. Continue to study for the exam so that you do not lose your momentum. If you think you didn't do well because you didn't prepare or weren't happy even with your practice exams, consider taking a different approach to studying for the LSAT (see the question on September 27th). Finally, notify the schools you applied to that you will be taking the February test so that a decision on your file is not made prior to receipt of your new score.

December 6, 2007

Q: I have heard that I can use an addendum to my application, but I’m not sure what would be included in that. Can you clarify what an addendum is for?

An addendum is a separate piece of paper that one submits with his or her application. It is used to provide additional information in one’s file that does not easily fit within the personal statement, resume, or elsewhere in your application. For example, an addendum can be used to explain a poor academic performance in a particular semester, large differences in multiple LSAT scores, why you transferred three times in college, long periods of unemployment if out of college, etc. It can also be used to discuss a learning disability, a unique grading system at a particular school, etc.

Law schools will ask applicants to submit additional statements to also explain any academic or disciplinary probations/suspensions that they have on their records, or to explain any criminal or misconduct charges ever received. These addenda are required.

Addenda are typically no longer than one page and sometimes are only a paragraph. They give one the opportunity not to muddy up a personal statement with issues or explanations that one still wants the committee to consider, or that the law school asks for specifically beyond the personal statement, such as an explanation of a criminal record.

It is worth noting that most people do not need to submit addenda. When in question, contact the admissions office and someone can discuss with you if one is necessary.