Addendum

Addenda are a way to include information that is not covered elsewhere in your application materials but that you feel the admissions committees should know. 

Addenda are very commonplace in the application process. While an addendum is not required, they can be critical to enhancing your overall application materials.  We suggest using addenda as an opportunity to proactively explain any potential questions that could potentially surface that are not already addressed in your personal statement during the admissions decision process. Reasons to choose writing an addendum are personal and very broad.  Examples: Explaining your low grades during one tough semester, significantly increased LSAT score (increase in 5+ points), a class withdrawal or leave of absence, or any disciplinary actions you were engaged with before, during or after your undergraduate program. 

When in doubt, the general consensus among law school admissions committees is to choose disclosing via addenda for the following reason: When law students apply for the bar exam, a thorough background search is conducted.  If the state bar exam admissions administrators find that you have not disclosed something pertinent during their background check on you, you might be forbidden to sit for the bar.  While the process might be uncomfortable, please proceed understanding that law school admission committees know that students’ lives and circumstances change over time.  Law school admissions committees use the addendum review process as a way to determine students’ maturity, resilience, and respect for making appropriate decisions.

Keys to writing an addendum:  Share a brief summary of the situation.  Include how the situation was addressed, and what you learned from the experience.  Brevity is encouraged, and showing what you learned from the experience is key. Do not use an addendum to complain about the situation, blame others, etc.  Take ownership and share insights gained from living through the experience, and how the experience informed your perspective and decision-making process moving forward.  

Helpful articles: 

Law School Addendum: Do’s and Don’ts

When to Write a Non-Required Addendum

Law School Admissions: Disclosure

Misconduct and Irregularities | The Law School Admission Council

Optional Statements

Optional statements (formerly known as diversity statements) are written for reasons similar to addendum- to express what might not be included already in your application materials that could give the admissions committee a better understanding of you as a potential candidate for law school.  Optional statements are a great way to explain how you have addressed and overcome potentially challenging life circumstances.  Reasons for writing optional statements are highly personal and unique to each person.  Examples might include challenges related to being a first generation college student, managing a short or long term medical condition, overcoming economic struggles, transitioning to a different culture, coming out to family and friends, etc.

Keys to writing a optional statement: Share only information you are comfortable sharing.  Briefly explain your situation in a way that informs the reader while helping them understand you more as a candidate and your capacity to thrive in law school.  You want the reader to understand that you have developed the ability to overcome challenges and that your resiliency will carry you successfully through law school.  You want to demonstrate that the diversity you bring to the classroom will broaden the perspectives of fellow students.

Helpful articles:

Diversity in Law School | The Law School Admission Council 

4 Ways Personal, Diversity Statements Differ in Law School Applications

How to Write a Diversity Statement 

Interviews

Many schools do not require interviews.  If they say they are optional, treat this as required and view it as a great opportunity to share your qualifications for law school!  Some schools interview for scholarships or if they want to further evaluate you as a candidate.

Prepare to answer questions including (this is a accumulation of questions- not all from one school!):

• Tell me a little bit about yourself.
• Why do you want to be a lawyer?
• What motivates you to attend law school at this moment in your life?
• What areas of law are you most interested in right now?
• What factors will play a role in your selection of a law school?
• What specific factors make you interested in our law school?
• Tell us about a time you worked on a team that did not meet your expectations and what you learned from the experience.
• Share an example of an accomplishment you are particularly proud of.
• Tell us about a time you failed (and how you overcame it).
• Could you share an experience when your beliefs were challenged and how you overcame that
• What books are you interested in and why.
• How would your friends characterize your personality and qualities?
• Tell us what you know about the duties and obligations of a ___lawyer (insert the area of law you stated interest in for your personal statement)
• What qualities define your approach as a student?
• What personal attributes do you believe are essential for a successful lawyer?
• What unique contributions do you envision bringing to the law school and local community?
• What student organizations do you plan to join in the first semester of law school?
• Describe a leadership experience.
• What is one thing that you want the Admissions Committee to know about you?

You will also want to prepare a few questions for the interviewer based on their role at the law school (admissions, student, faculty, etc.)

Need practice?  The Career Center has an interactive platform called Big Interview  for students and alumni to practice interviewing on camera.  Take advantage!