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GPA Addendum

I respectfully submit this addendum to offer context for my LSAC undergraduate GPA of 2.65.

During my academic journey, I faced a number of deeply personal and financial challenges. As a single mother and first-generation college student, I worked full-time and part-time jobs to support my son and ensure he had access to a quality education. At times, I experienced housing instability and endured profound personal loss within a short period. These circumstances undoubtedly affected my academic performance.

Despite those hardships, I remained committed to my education. I earned two associate degrees followed by a bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management in which I graduated with a 3.5 gpa. Along the way, I also served as Vice President of Georgia Phi Beta Lambda, winning multiple state and national championships in areas such as community service and organizational leadership. These experiences helped shape my resilience, leadership, and determination.

My circumstances have since become more stable. I’ve learned how to better balance my responsibilities and have been blessed with a supportive spouse, which has allowed me to focus more fully on my personal and academic growth without having to work. My recent JD Next score of 800 reflects that growth and my readiness for the rigors of law school.

I hope this addendum provides meaningful context, and I appreciate your consideration as part of your holistic review process.

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Name LSAC #: Personal Statement

From courtroom TV dramas to real-life injustices I witnessed in my community, law was always more than curiosity, it was a calling. But pursuing that path wasn’t easy. I didn’t grow up with lawyers in my family or college degrees on the wall. I grew up surrounded by drugs, guns, and violence in a world where survival was often prioritized over dreams. After surviving hurricane Katrina, I knew there was hope in my future. I was the first in my family to graduate from high school, the first to attend college, and for much of that journey, I walked alone.

I became a teen mother and juggled raising my son while working full-time and part-time jobs. There were times when I didn’t know where we’d sleep or how I’d keep him in the private school I was determined he would attend. I faced housing instability, financial stress, and the profound pain of personal loss very close to me, all while trying to stay afloat academically. I won’t pretend I didn’t struggle. But I stayed praying, believing God had better for me and my son. I never gave up, because I knew he deserved more than the life we were born into.

I taught myself how to navigate college and earned associate degrees in both Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice before completing my bachelor’s in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Along the way, I found purpose in leadership, serving as Vice President of Georgia Phi Beta Lambda. I competed nationally in subjects like organizational behavior, desktop publishing, and community service — winning several national championships and multiple state titles. These weren’t just academic exercises for me. They were proof that, even in hardship, I could lead, contribute, and rise.

Today, my life has stabilized. I have the blessing of a supportive spouse, a deeper sense of self, and a renewed focus on serving others. I am applying to law school not because I seek prestige or power, but because I know what it feels like to be voiceless — and I want to be the advocate I once needed. Whether through public interest work, legal reform, or community outreach, I see the law as a tool for justice and healing.

Charleston School of Law’s commitment to community, ethical leadership, and integrity aligns with everything I’ve worked toward and everything I hope to become. I am ready to embrace the next chapter of my journey — not in spite of my past, but because of it. Thank you for considering my application.

S/N: I would like to tailor the last paragraph to be generic for all schools. Is this possible or would I need to tailor it separately each time?

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LSAC Diversity Statement

I grew up surrounded by drugs, gangs, and violence—but I knew I wanted more than what my circumstances and environment offered. As a teen mother and first-generation college student, I worked full-time while attending school to create a better future for my son. I faced housing instability and endured profound personal losses, including the deaths of three grandparents, my biological father, and a miscarriage. Throughout it all, I stayed praying, holding tightly to my faith to keep moving forward. Despite the challenges, I earned two associate degrees and a bachelor’s in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. I also served as Vice President of Georgia Phi Beta Lambda, earning multiple state and national awards. These experiences shaped my resilience, leadership, and drive. With stability and support now in place, I’m prepared to meet the challenges of law school and contribute a voice shaped by perseverance, faith, and lived experience.

S/N: Please let me know how to tailor this. It is for the Candidate Referral Service (CRS)

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Character and Fitness Addendum

In 2019, I filed for a zero-balance bankruptcy, which was discharged in blank. This was a precautionary measure taken during a period of significant financial instability. Since the discharge, I have maintained responsible financial habits and stability.

Any academic disciplinary actions I experienced occurred during a time marked by profound personal challenges, including homelessness, hunger, and the loss of several close family members. These life circumstances significantly impacted my ability to perform consistently. However, I learned from these experiences, developed greater resilience, and have since demonstrated strong academic and personal growth.

During this time, I was employed by the State of blank government, a role in which I was entrusted with important responsibilities. This experience reflects the trust others placed in my character and professionalism despite my personal challenges.

I understand the importance of integrity, responsibility, and ethical conduct in the legal profession, and I am fully committed to upholding these standards as I pursue my legal career.

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Schools Diversity Statement

As a Black woman, a first-generation college graduate, and a leader shaped by underrepresented experiences, I bring a voice to law school that reflects the realities of many whose stories go unheard. I’ve learned how to navigate educational and professional environments where few looked like me or shared my background. That perspective has taught me not only how to persist, but how to bridge gaps between communities, communicate across differences, and lead with empathy.

While serving as Vice President of Georgia Phi Beta Lambda, I competed and connected with students from all walks of life. Through these experiences, I saw how diversity enriches problem-solving, leadership, and service. In community service competitions, I led initiatives that centered around access, equity, and advocacy—values that mirror the role of the legal profession itself. These formative experiences gave me the tools to listen deeply, work collaboratively, and understand the cultural and systemic forces that shape people’s lives.

At Charleston School of Law, I will contribute not only as a student, but as someone who has already mentored, organized, and advocated across lines of race, class, and opportunity. My presence in the classroom will reflect voices often missing in legal discussions, and my perspective will push conversations toward inclusion and justice.

Diversity, to me, is more than background—it’s how we use our lived experience to challenge bias, empower others, and serve the greater good. I am ready to bring that perspective to Charleston’s legal community.

S/N: I would like to make this more generic and not just for CSOL. Please give me your feedback on this.