(I'm quite new here, so please forgive me if I haven't posted this in the right place.)
I just started my junior year of college. To make a long story short, I was sexually assaulted two weeks before I started my first year. As a result, my first semester GPA was an unfortunate 2.700. I've since brought it up to a ~3.4, and every semester since shows up an upward trend. I'll hopefully continue to bring it up over the next two years, and currently plan on taking a gap year or two to gain some professional experience before applying. I didn't report anything that happened, but it's since been a large motivator in me wanting to go to law school, especially as of recent.
I'm not asking for chances since it's still early and I haven't taken the LSAT, but I would like to know if this is something that can/should be an explained on my app? Would it be too much to say in a personal statement? Would a gap year help at all to mitigate the low GPA? I'd of course like to do very well on the LSAT - but since I won't be taking that for a while, I'd really like to know what else there is I can do to improve my app in the meantime.
Coming back from a low GPA due to trauma Forum
- Sprout
- Posts: 774
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2015 4:46 pm
Re: Coming back from a low GPA due to trauma
I will tell you that PTSD from sexual assault is a real thing and you might not be feeling the full weight of that yet, I'm sorry for saying that but if you're asking this question I feel obliged to say that.hes wrote:(I'm quite new here, so please forgive me if I haven't posted this in the right place.)
I just started my junior year of college. To make a long story short, I was sexually assaulted two weeks before I started my first year. As a result, my first semester GPA was an unfortunate 2.700. I've since brought it up to a ~3.4, and every semester since shows up an upward trend. I'll hopefully continue to bring it up over the next two years, and currently plan on taking a gap year or two to gain some professional experience before applying. I didn't report anything that happened, but it's since been a large motitor in me wanting to go to law school, especially as of recent.
I'm not asking for chances since it's still early and I haven't taken the LSAT, but I would like to know if this is something that can/should be an explained on my app? Would it be too much to say in a personal statement? Would a gap year help at all to mitigate the low GPA? I'd of course like to do very well on the LSAT - but since I won't be taking that for a while, I'd really like to know what else there is I can do to improve my app in the meantime.
Cases related to your trauma will make you consciously think you're going to better there and be more happy about the work - but if you're anything like like me, that's not always the case. Ymmv of course
I'm so sorry about what happened to you.If the GPA is the issue, I don't think added info on an addendum is dangerous. I wouldn't over hype it though, even though this is a horrible, absolutely atrocious thing, it is still stigmatized, and you don't want to come across as making excuses or pity-party (even though that is more than fucking warranted.)
PM me if you want. I highly recommend not starting LS right after a trauma like that. I did that, tried to ignore, and ended up in a really negative coping place. There are plenty of resources that might not only help you personally but also accessible, free, confidential, and prep you for a world of stress if you're going into law.