Next to your LSAT score, your GPA is the most important thing on your law school application. Like it or not, those numbers hold the greatest weight in your likelihood of getting into a particular school. Unlike your LSAT score, though, your GPA has another facet to it: your transcript. Whether your transcript has a positive or negative effect on your application depends on what’s on it.
Let’s take a look at what your transcript can say about you. Before we start, though, a disclaimer: not everyone’s transcript will be analyzed. I imagine that the people who run the greatest risk or chance of having their transcript reviewed fall into a few categories.
- Splitters (e.g., those with a high LSAT/low GPA or low LSAT/high GPA combo).
- Those with a good GPA that could have been a great GPA had they not messed up one or two semesters.
- Those with a lower GPA but who undertook a non-traditional (for law school) major, such as a hard science or math.
- Those who attended more than one undergraduate institution.
- Non-traditional applicants, particularly those that have been out of school for a while and may not have had the best GPA when they were in school.
If you’re a PoliSci major (or any other “traditional” law school major) with a 3.5+ GPA, I don’t think your transcript will be scrutinized in any fashion. You can rest easy. For those of you that will get scrutinized, though, let’s see what the different aspects of your transcript may say.
Your Grade Trend
What pattern do your grades follow? Do they start off strong and go down as you go progress through college? Or are they weak at the start and get stronger? What if they start off weak and never improve? Do they fluctuate up and down throughout your college career? All these different scenarios will say different things about you.
The Decline
If you start off with strong grades that get weaker, it may indicate that they can’t handle more advanced courses. This assumption stems from the typical college career, with general courses in the beginning and more advanced, specialized courses later.
Moving on Up
If you begin with weak grades that get stronger, you can make a good case about your potential and maturity. You can easily argue that you had a hard time at the start of college, for whatever reason that may be. Whether it was your first time on your own, you went crazy for a semester, etc. But, then you got your act together and excelled when it mattered most! This also looks better than those with a downward grade trend since your highest grades are most recent.
Consistently Weak
In the event that you have weak grades that never get better, you have a lot of explaining to do. Hopefully, you have an LSAT score that belies these grades! Or, perhaps you pursued a major that is known to be objectively difficult and preferably at a university that has a reputation for being exceptional in that field. Keep in mind that neither of these makes the transcript look better. After all, a low GPA is a low GPA. If someone comes along with a higher GPA in the same discipline, they are looked at much more favorably. It may, however, take some of the edge off. However, a weak GPA is never a good thing, no matter how many reasons you can point to for it. If law school is your eventual goal, then aim for a 3.5+. No real two ways about it.
No Consistency
If your grade trends are all over the place, you probably have it worse than any other trends we’re going over. If there is no true trend, it can be taken to be an unknown quantity. There’s no rhyme or reason for your performance—sometimes you do well, sometimes you don’t. Class types, subjects, times of the year; none of these seem to make any difference or create a pattern. Law schools might look at this grade trend and wonder which student they will get. If you fit in this category, especially if it’s in conjunction with a less-than-stellar GPA, address it in an addendum.
Your Class Selection
Ah, the great debate over class selection. Some say that it doesn’t matter which major or classes you take, as long as you get that coveted 4.0. Needless to say, I’m on the dissenting camp. I believe an “A” in Underwater Basket-weaving will not be considered the same as an “A” in Advanced Calculus. Call me old-fashioned, but I judge a person’s academic prowess and potential based on the difficulty of their courses. I’m willing to bet AdComs do the same. I’ll go further and says an “A” in Underwater Basket-weaving won’t hold a candle to a “B-” in Advanced Calculus.
The moral of the story? Don’t pick classes because they look easy. Pick classes because they complement your major and will challenge you. Then do well in them. If you end up doing not-so-well in them, at least you can fall back on the “it was a truly difficult course” excuse. You can’t do that if you get a “C” in Dog Walking 101.
Your Major
There’s a lot of chatter about what constitutes a “good” major if you’re planning on going to law school. I’m of the opinion that any major that is reading-, research-, and writing-intensive is good, even if it’s not in the realm of the “traditional” law school majors (PoliSci, Econ, English, etc.). People with notoriously difficult majors (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Math, Engineering, etc) will get a little more leniency if their grades aren’t stellar. Not only have professors in these disciplines been found to be tough graders, the subjects are also tough in and of themselves.
On the other hand, much like with class selection, those that take the painless way out major in the super-easy just for the sake of an easy “A” may also be looked upon not as favorably. Above all, law schools want to see that you can handle the rigor of law school classes, and that you are ready for the academic intensity that they will entail. Yes, your major should be interesting and easy for you to be engaged in–but it should also speak to your academic potential.
Your Major GPA vs. Your Overall GPA
Some students have a high major GPA, and a low overall GPA, or viceversa. This can be due to a number of things, but you should be prepared for what this major vs. overall GPA scenario might say about you. If your major is, for example, in a hard science, and you did very well in it, but did very poorly in the less-scientific/more right-brain classes outside of your major, law schools may see you a risky candidate–law school classes, although they are certainly rooted in analysis, also require subjective and intuitive skills.
On the other hand, if you’re overall GPA is a good one, but your major GPA is poor, that may say that you lose interest in delving deeply in a subject, and that you do better when you have multiple subjects to choose from and study at once. While that might say wonderful things about your personality, it may make law schools a little leery–law school (any professional or graduate program, really) is about advanced study in a single field. If you haven’t shown that you can focus intensely on one subject and succeed in it, what will happen when you have to study nothing but law for three years?
Your Undergraduate Institution
I am a big believer in that your undergraduate institution really doesn’t hold that much weight (if any) during the law school admissions process. Don’t believe me? Check out Harvard Law’s list of undergraduate institutions represented during the 2010-2011 school year. It’s not just the Ivy League represented–there are plenty of state universities, small private colleges, and liberal arts institutions, too. Where you come from doesn’t matter as much as how you did when you were there. Instead of worrying about the relative “prestige” of your institution, worry about doing well in your classes while you’re there..
Some may say that taking the time to scrutinize your transcript like this borders on the obsessive and overly analytical. While I agree, to an extent, I also believe that knowing what all the different aspects of your application say about you is also incredibly beneficial. It is only by learning to listen to your application that you will be able to put together the most effective admissions package, and increase your overall chances of acceptance. Take the time to hear what your transcript (and all the other parts of your application) are saying, so that you can better harness their words.
Fill out an inquiry today to get started with an admissions consultant.
Alex L says
Hello,
I am a mature student and returned to education after a long gap. I did briefly attend university back when I was in my late teens but dropped out to support my family’s now-bankrupt business and never looked back. I then worked full time for about 13 years after that, had a few promotions and had a decent career in middle-management but my heart wasn’t in it. I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer. So, I went back into school as a full time student. I’m now in my third year at University of Toronto studying Sociology (BA Hons). I’m 34 years old, married, two young kids, and run a small business to keep us financially stable while studying hard to maintain my 4.0 CGPA.
My concern is that I used 2 courses as transfer credits (worth a combined 1.0 credit) from when I dropped out over a decade ago when I first started back at university. Unfortunately, these two courses were only B+. Thus, if I put these two transfer credits into a GPA calculator and assume that 19 of the 20 credits in my current degree are A / A+ as they currently are, and 1.0 credits is from the B+ transfer credit then I’ll finish with only a 3.97 cumulative GPA.
In your opinion, will this impede my chances applying for law school in the future? Should I contact the registrar of my current institution to drop the transfer credits and take 2 additional courses before I finish my degree so I (hopefully) finish with a perfect 4.0 rather than have it blemished by the 2 x B+’s I got 15 years ago?
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the message and congrats on returning to school–I admire that, especially with two young kids and your own business!
First, I wouldn’t worry about the GPA drop from those classes. It’s minor.
Second, write an addendum explaining why those classes are being calculated in your GPA. It doesn’t have to be a long statement, but I think what you told me by itself is a good look for you.
Between the very minor drop and the reason why you sued those classes, this will be a non-issue for you and won’t affect your admission chances at all.
Thanks and good luck!
Maddy says
Hello! My name is Maddy and I go to a small university in Canada. After converting my university’s GPA to the LSAC GPA, it turns out my GPA is 3.77. Overall, my grades have an upward trend where my first grade ever received was a C and I finished this year with a 3.87 annual GPA. Without that one course, my LSAC GPA would’ve been 3.82. I do believe that the challenges faced during my first year (COVID and my family living abroad) were the reasons I scored poorly in the class.
I am still studying for the LSAT and I am hoping to score 165+. If I end up with that score, do you think my GPA compromises my chances of getting into law school? My dream is to get accepted into a T14 school!
Thank you so much for all of your help!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Maddy,
Thanks for the question! Good news here–that one grade will not be an issue, and the 3.77 vs 3.82 difference is so small as to not even warrant a GPA addendum on this 🙂 Your goal should be to nail that high LSAT score (170 should really be the minimum you focus on in this admissions environment), and that in combination with your solid GPA will help the most.
Thanks!
Ammi says
Hi there,
So, I am currently an international student conducting my BA in history at a US college. I have about a month left to graduate and have done well so far. I have a 3.97 GPA, and other than my History major, I’m also minoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice (both are completed at this time). I’m also in the Bascoms Honors Program and got all A’s in those courses. I have all A’s (4 A-) besides a B- I got in an 8-week online crim class that I retook in person and got an A in.
My dilemma, however, is with a class I’m taking at the moment. It is a “Law, ethics and testimony” evening class which did not go as expected. I currently have a C in the class after two big tests, and I’m debating on taking it as pass/fail. We still have about four assignments left which I am certain I’ll do well on, but the way it is looking right now, I’m likely to end with a B/B+ at best, an A-. While this doesn’t seem too bad, I’m only making assumptions, and anything less than a B+ would hurt my GPA.
My school’s deadline for pass/fail decision is Monday, April 4th, and I’m trying to decide if it is better not to risk it and do pass/fail or if having that on my transcript will hurt my chances of getting into a T14 school, mainly because the class is a “law” class. It’s a 200 level class and not required for my major. I simply took it because I was interested in the subject (obviously) and needed three more credits to graduate.
Do you have any advice on what would look “less bad,” a pass in a “law” class or a “B and lower overall GPA.” I’m doing fine in all my other classes, so I am concerned that it will stand out. I’m doing really well with the LSAT, so I think a 165-170 score is possible.
Thank you!
Ammi
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Ammi,
Thanks for the post, and sorry for the delayed response! Somehow we missed this post earlier. Whichever option you chose, rest assured that you should be fine. 😀 Your GPA is solid, and one slightly lower grade (and a B is not by any means a low grade!) will not make much of an impact on your GPA or your admissions chances. Just keep up the good work and make sure that your LSAT score is as high as possible.
The same goes for one pass/fail class on your transcript. Law schools won’t give much consideration to it; they won’t know the reason that it was pass/fail, and pass/fail classes have become considerably more common during the pandemic era.
It being a law class won’t concern them, either. You have demonstrated your interest in law by taking a class directly related to it (and your major/minors also indicate an interest in it!), and law schools of course know how rigorous such courses can be. 🙂
Thanks!
Ali says
Hello,
I am a Canadian UG student studying business who hopes to finish his degree with a 3.45-3.55 GPA. I know for the LSAT, I will probably score in the 165-168 range.
My biggest factor will be how many credits I take per semester. I know I have minor/medium ADD but I don’t want to get diagnosed with it and go on medication. I’ve been able to fair decently by working hard to control it on my own. Frankly I don’t even want to experiment with medication because the concept of needing something to operate does not appeal to me – especially given a strong distrust in the prescription pharmaceutical industry.
Either way, ADD aside. I’ve done 3 courses @ an average of 10 credits per semester for my first 50 credits. I’ve tried 4 this semester, and I don’t really like it. I’ll take 4 if it is absolutely necessary, but I can’t do 5. I have been running my own business for 5 years to finance my living and education costs and the time commitments from both school and work would be very hard.
I do extremely well GPA wise at 3 courses. Do you recommend I do 4 courses for admission purposes?
If I knew that they didn’t care about how many courses I took per semester, or that it wasn’t THAT big of a deal to them, I’d just stick to 3 and do great in those 3 courses.
I am looking at mostly going to Canadian Universities.
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Ali,
Thank you for your comment! Some good news here is that a lighter course load will not reflect poorly on your transcript. Your overall GPA and LSAT score will be the most important factors in your admission application. So if you believe that taking three courses instead of four will result in a higher GPA, we would recommend doing just that.
Thank you!
Josephine says
Hello,
I was hoping someone could help me out with an answer. I am in the first semester of my third year of university at a Canadian university. I am hoping to apply to both Canadian and American schools. My GPA is 3.95 and the last practice LSAT I got a 162 but am hoping for improvement with continued studying. I have one P/F on my transcript from last year. Ok, here is my question. This semester I decided to overload and take 6 courses. However, this coincided with numerous personal stresses that have caused me to fall behind in one of the courses. If I withdraw, I will not have a grade penalty at my institution but there will be a W on my transcript. I will also still be taking 5 courses this first semester (aka a full course load). Do you think law school will look poorly on this? I am taking a traditional degree and doing an Honours Spec in English. Please let me know what you think.
Thank you so much,
Josephine
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Josephine,
Thank you for your comment! Typically, one or two withdrawals on a transcript will not reflect poorly on an applicant. The only time withdrawals appear concerning is if there is a pattern, which may cause schools to question your academic readiness and ability to manage a challenging academic load. So be sure to do as well as possible in your remaining classes so that your grade trend and overall GPA are as outstanding as possible.
Thank you!
Sophia says
Hi there,
I’m in my junior year and took 2 extra courses last summer as I thought it would be beneficial to have the option to take a lighter course load if needed. I’m considering dropping a course this semester to have a lighter course load due to some external stress, but am wondering if this would reflect poorly on my transcript to admissions. While I think it would benefit my GPA to have 4 courses instead of 5, is it a bad idea to drop one? I currently have a 3.7 GPA.
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Sophia,
Thank you for your comment! A lighter course load will not reflect poorly on your transcript. Law schools primarily care about your overall GPA and LSAT score. So if taking a lighter course load will result in you maintaining or even increasing your GPA, that would most certainly be in your best interest.
Thank you!
David C says
Hello,
I am a political science major starting my second year of college. My departmental GPA is a 4.0 and my overall GPA only has two blemishes (B+ foreign language, Pass Calculus 1). I have two more semesters of foreign language before I fulfill my requirement. For reference, I am horrible at this language and I honestly don’t care about being bilingual. This is the problem I face: I could take those next two semesters of foreign language with a letter grade somewhere in the C to B+ range (which would tank my overall GPA), OR, I could take them pass fail and pass both semesters. From a law school admissions perspective, what would look better on a transcript? A lower GPA but only one pass/fail class (calculus) or a much higher GPA and three pass/fail classes?
Thanks!
-David
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi David,
Thank you for your comment! Please note that law schools will not penalize applicants with Pass/Fail grades on their transcripts and nor would they reflect poorly. Law schools primarily care about your overall GPA and LSAT score, and those are the standard predictors of how a student will do in law school. So maintaining that high GPA will be would be a much better choice than possibly jeopardizing it. Just keep in mind that when you pass a Pass/Fail class your GPA remains unaffected, but if you fail it will harm your GPA. So be sure to pass the class and continue to establish a solid GPA.
Thank you!
Lily says
Hi!
I am currently a rising junior and have a pretty low gpa (3.06) because of my performance this past year in online school. Whats worse is I failed the same class twice and am about to take it a 3rd time (it’s required for my major). Prior to this past school year I had a decent enough gpa (3.55). I say all this to ask what would you say my hopes are for a T14 (I know its probably a stretch)?
Thank you for your help,
Lily
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Lily,
Thank you for your comment! Please note that T14 acceptances are, unfortunately, rather rare with a GPA under a 3.5. We often collaborate with a company called Spivey Consulting and they just posted a report on law school medians for the Fall 2021 school year. I’d recommend for you take a look at the report to see just how competitive T14 admission truly is.
With that said, law schools primarily care about your overall GPA and LSAT score, particularly the LSAT score. Those are the standard predictors of how a student will do in law school. So we would recommend establishing a solid GPA, focusing on preparing for the LSAT so that you’re able to score as high as possible, and making sure your softs (personal statement, résumé, letters of recommendation, any addenda, and supplemental essays) are good enough that they don’t hinder you.
Thank you!
sofia says
Hi there! So i’ve put myself in a tough spot and need some advice. I’m a senior that is graduating in five months with a double major in psychology and mass media communications and i’m from a top-20 public university. In my 4 year college career, I’ve gotten only 5 B’s and the rest are A’s. (i have 2 W’s also) In the last few months, i’ve really slacked off in school and have ended with a B- and will end with a B- or C in a lab. This B- has already brought my GPA down from a 3.8 to a 3.7 and I’m scared this has ruined my chances to get into the top 20-35 law schools. I know that now my only option is to really do well on the LSAT but I just don’t know how much this GPA drop will affect my chances? I do plan on getting straight A’s again in fall, my final semester, so these grades are going to be an outlier on my transcript.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Sofia,
Good news: you will be just fine here with a strong LSAT and 3.7 🙂 If you ultimately feel the need to address this, you could do so in a GPA addendum, and given the timing, I’d imagine you could point to some effects of the pandemic as drivers for the temporarily lowered performance (especially if your performance picks up once things are more normal).
But, either way, this has not wrecked your chances at a top school!
Lily says
Hello, last semester, I have received a C in a course called general logic, because I was ill during the time of the exam which was a huge factor for the overall grade for that class. I am worried that this (getting a low grade in a course related to logic) might affect my chances in getting in to a good law school. Do you recommend retaking this class? I am also worried that if I do not get an A for the retaken class, I might leave an even worse impression.
Also, I have retaken several courses not knowing that the LSAC factors in every single courses I have taken in my undergraduate career. This caused my LSAC GPA to be a lot lower than my actual GPA. Are there any law schools that doesn’t use the LSAC GPA?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Lily,
Let’s look at this in reverse order, starting with, “Are there any law schools that doesn’t use the LSAC GPA?” Sadly, no. all ABA-approved law school use LSAC’s GPA as part of a standardization process when applying. I’m sorry to hear this policy has affected you negatively, and as I’ve said elsewhere I disagree with LSAC’s policy here. But they make the rules so nothing can be done.
So, should you retake that class? I’m not sure. I can’t see your GPA or determine what difference it would make. I also don’t know how many classes you have retaken, as at a certain point that becomes an issue. Without some of that contextual info, there’s not a clear-cut answer.
Last, by itself, a low grad in a logic class is meaningless. Formal logic is different than the law, and they won’t draw a straight-line between the two 🙂
Thanks!
elizabeth says
Hi! I’m working on completing my undergraduate degree as a transfer student after being away from school for 10+ years. In undergrad the first time I ended up taking a leave of absence my senior year due to some traumatic life circumstances, attempted to return the following semester (it did not go well), but voluntarily withdrew (due to related issues). Anyway, my gpa there ended up being 2.77. Fast forward 10+ years to today–I’m two semesters away from graduating with a 4.9 gpa.
From what I understand, the 2.77 will drag my LSAC cumulative gpa way down. I’m planning on writing an addendum– will schools even take time to read it given how low the cumulative will be? Beyond the addendum, is this something I should address in the personal statement as well (I don’t want to be repetitive)?
Thanks for providing support and for creating such wonderful resources!
elizabeth
Jon Denning says
Hi Elizabeth – thanks so much for reading the blog and for taking the time to post a great question! Let me see if I can unpack your inquiry a bit and respond to each piece in some detail 🙂
1. Your GPA. While a 2.77 is certainly going to pull down your overall GPA, possibly to the point that it becomes a legitimate hurdle—I don’t know what the final number will be from your post, but it sounds like it could end up at/below every school’s 25th percentile—it isn’t inherently disqualifying if the rest of your application shines! That is, there are some schools that simply won’t be able to overlook a GPA in the low-3s (or lower) no matter what else accompanies it (high LSAT, plausible addendum, great softs), but it doesn’t mean a universal denial everywhere if your other credentials are strong and you’re not looking exclusively at schools in the top 10-15. So I’d say it’s important to be realistic about to expect from certain high-ranking schools, but also quite optimistic as you explore alternatives perhaps ranked a bit lower but still offering wonderful opportunities once you’re in. I’ve personally seen plenty of people with sub-3.0 undergrad GPAs attend quality programs and thrive both in law school and beyond!
2. Addenda. 100% you should write one, noting both what caused the issues in the first place all those years ago, as well as your current academic performance and how it’s a far better reflection on the type of law student you know you will be. Again, the number itself will likely be too low for some schools to overlook despite a reasonable explanation of it and clear indications that it fails to represent who you are now, but making those points explicit via addendum will at least give every school an opportunity to regard that stat more appropriately, and thus an easier time moving past it and admitting you.
3. Personal Statement. There’s no rule against overlap in addenda and your PS, so while I do think you’ll want to find unique talking points to include in each, if you feel that the experiences you had while in undergrad played a significant and compelling-to-read role in the person you’ve become you could absolutely expand on them when crafting your personal statement! In fact, the PS might even offer you a better means by which to make some points in your defense—the fact that it’s a longer narrative certainly allows for more detail/depth—so consider how you might “double down” so to speak on your undergrad GPA addedum and further illustrate what you’ve learned and how far you’ve come. (No need to commit to that as the main talking point or theme if you have others you’d prefer to focus on; just don’t be afraid to elaborate on ideas expressed in your addendum if you feel there’s more to meaningfully convey)
I hope that helps! Keep studying to get the highest LSAT score possible, and do all you can to polish and perfect every aspect of your apps—I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by some of the doors that open for you!
Melissa says
Hello,
I just finished my first year of college. I’m a sociology major with a minor in film studies and possibly a double major in criminology, I’m on the quarter system so this year I took 11 classes. I got 1 D, 1 C, 5 A’s, and 4 B’s. Luckily I can retake that class I got a D on but I’m scared that the C and all the B’s will make me seem like a weak applicant. What do you suggest doing to improve my chances of getting into law school in a few years
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for your post! There are several important factors here: your final GPA, your LSAT score, and the law schools that you are aiming for.
You’ll want to do as well as possible in your remaining classes so that your GPA is as high as possible. But keep in mind that your GPA is one half of a very important equation for schools, but your LSAT is the other, arguably more important, half. Therefore, you’ll want to score well on your LSAT exam! Your GPA and LSAT together will largely dictate your options, but for the top schools, your “soft” factors (extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, personal statement) will play a big role as well, so keep this in mind!
Feel free to utilize one of our favorite resources for researching data on nearly all of the ABA-approved schools in North America: LSAC’s LSAT/GPA Calculator. This tool allows you to input your undergraduate GPA and your highest LSAT score (or a score you’re realistically aiming for), and get feedback on where each stands relative to attendees at individual schools, as well as your likely odds of duplicating that result on those figures.
I hope this helps! Thanks!
Taylor says
Hi,
I’m a rising sophomore in undergrad majoring in Psychology and Public Policy with a minor in Health and Society. I have a 3.748 as of now with a P/F pass in Calculus I, P/F pass in chem 101 lab, P/F pass in chem 102 (gen chem 2), and a B- in chem 102 lab. I am also currently taking a genetics course that is honestly the bane of my existence and most likely will drag my gpa down due to the high probability of me getting a C-B-. I am a pre-med also which is why I’m taking these courses. My anticipated gpa before starting sophomore year is a 3.608 and I’m taking more psych and policy courses that I enjoy next year. I do well in all of my psychology and other humanities elective courses because I am a more social sciences oriented person. I was wondering how the pass/fail grades and B- in stem courses from my freshman year coupled with the low grade in genetics will look to law schools on my transcript? I’m worried that my poor performance in previous STEM courses could really hinder me. I just started exploring law and I’m scared I don’t really have a shot.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Taylor,
Thanks for the message! There is mostly good news here 🙂
Your pass/fail classes this year won’t matter–every law school knows this was a pandemic and they won’t hold that against people. So, that’s a non-issue.
Lower grades in a tough pre-med curriculum will also be forgiven to some extent, especially as they are early in your college career. The key is to maximize your grades for the remainder of your time because as you drop below 3.7 your chances at the very top schools (the so-called T14) begin to drop rapidly.
Bottom line: you are still in the game at this point for the most highly-ranked schools, but you’ll want to bring that GPA back up steadily over the next few years. And then nail the LSAT, of course.
I hope that helps and good luck!
Caroline Gathens says
Hi,
I’m a rising undergraduate senior hoping to apply to law schools in the fall. I’m aiming for top 25 or so, but would love T14 if possible. I have a 3.7 GPA in Neuroscience with a minor in a humanities subject. Most of my grades have been good (A/A-), but a C+ and B- in my two semesters of organic chemistry brought me down. I have a 177 on the LSAT, so I’m not worried there. Will those two bad grades (and the resulting GPA drop) factor in heavily? Is it worth acknowledging that organic chemistry is notoriously one of the hardest science classes offered here?
Additionally, I’m actively involved in extracurriculars, but they’re not particularly legal-based (mostly part-time job, theatre, and mental health advocacy). My minor allows me to take courses on legal themes and develop my critical reading/writing skills, but I’m worried because I don’t have much legal work or volunteer experience. Should that be a concern?
Thanks for your input!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Caroline,
Ahh Orgo, the bane of all premed/science students. Given your excellent performance elsewhere, this won’t be an issue because those are know to be crushing classes designed to weed students out of the field. I don’t even think I’d mention it anywhere since it’s such a well-known fact that this is how this course works at pretty much every university.
As far as legal experience, don’t worry about that. It’s not a requirement, and coming in with a science background will actually help make you stand out 🙂
I’d say you are in good shape over, just keep an eye on how competitive the next cycle is looking as you consider where to apply.
Thanks!
John says
Hi! I am a rising junior who has just begun preparing for law school. Currently, I am considering what classes to take. I am a double major with a minor, but because I enrolled in my college with so much AP credit and planned my schedule well, I can graduate by just taking 4 classes for my final 4 semesters. So far, I have a 3.9 GPA and have taken one LSAT practice test with no prior preparation, scoring a 163, which I anticipate increasing with practice. I am wondering if I should be taking more than 4 classes (13 credits with an additional 1 credit requirement for my major)? The last four semesters I have had 5 classes (16 credits). Could taking only 4 classes negatively impact me during the admissions process?
Due to the number and structure of certain classes that I need to take for my major, I cannot graduate early, and due to school restrictions, I cannot take less than 4 classes per semester. Right now, I think that only taking 4 classes would give me more time for extracurriculars and studying for the LSAT, especially next fall. I also do not just want to take free electives because I am worried I will not do as well in a class that is not for my majors/minor.
Thanks,
John
Dave Killoran says
Hey John,
Thanks for the message! You should be okay here taking just 4 classes, but it would help if you could amp up those extracurriculars as you note to show the time was well spent. I will provide a caveat though: different schools analyze transcripts in different ways, so what is “generally” fine may not be fine in every single case. If there’s a school that interests you already, call and talk to them about this. Side note: don’t tell them you intend to use the time to study for the LSAT; despite the importacce of this test, they don’t like to see people take time off (or have reduced loads) specifically to study for it.
Thanks!
Anna says
Hi! My university offered students to take a credit for a class which means that the grade received will not show up on the transcript (this is because of corona virus). If I take this option for one of my classes, it will not affect my Gpa. But I was wondering if law schools will notice this lack of grade? What impression would it leave?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Anna,
Anything during coronavirus is basically getting a free pass–that includes weird grade situations, time off, no work on your resume, etc. Law schools understand this is a worldwide crisis and have adjusted to be more flexible 🙂
Thanks!
Dana says
Hi! I’m currently a freshman in college and have been planning on going to law school for years. I am a criminal justice major and in one of my courses I would end up with a C. With covid and not being in the classroom, it’s been a little difficult. The withdraw period is soon and I was wondering if one C on my transcript when I’m a A to B+ student would affect it?
Thank you for your help!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Dana,
Thank you for your comment! Withdrawing may be the better option here, as not only does a C show you didn’t perform well, but it also drops your GPA (which presumably a W would not). Schools care about quantifiable elements like actual grades and final GPA (and an LSAT score), rather than harder-to-measure results like a withdrawal, so better to keep anything objectively negative off your record if possible.
Thank you!
Audrey says
Hi,
I already have a degree from undergrad and am now taking an EMT class at a community college. Will I need to upload my grades from the community college course when I am applying for law schools? Or will they only look at my undergraduate grades.
Thank you so much!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Audrey,
Yes, you will need to upload the CC grades. They want everything after high school for the most part :/
Thanks!
Kendra says
Hello there,
I’m a sophomore/junior who wants to apply to t14 schools after I graduate with a BA in History. I currently have a 3.8 GPA. Since I entered university with many credits from AP classes, I’m graduating a year early (Spring 2022). The issue is that I’m slightly scared about my lack of extracurricular activities. Should I be seriously stressed over this? This is giving me major anxiety and since I’m graduating a year early, I feel my time on campus has been cut down, especially with the pandemic!! I’ve been working part-time since freshman year and when I finally decided to become more active on campus, the pandemic hit, and most clubs became less active/disbanded. I’m currently looking for internships to complete before I graduate so I can gain skills and polish my resume. Most of the internships revolve around editing journals and scholarly works so I know I can transfer those skills to law school. GPA and LSAT scores matter the most, but I want my extracurricular activities to set me apart from other applicants in case I become a splitter. I plan to take the summer and fall after graduation to prepare for the LSAT and look for experience through an internship at any paralegal or law firm. Any words of wisdom?
Thank you,
Kendra
Dave Killoran says
Hi Kendra,
Thanks for the message! The answer here is both yes and no. Law schools are well aware of the problems students had over the last year, and how that restricted so many of the things they would normally have been doing. So, to an extent, everyone gets a free pass for having weaker ECs in the last year. They will hold it against you from years prior to the pandemic, however. So, your idea to use internships etc to expand your resume is a good idea 🙂 I would say this though: with ECs, it’s better to have a bunch of activities in a concentrated area as opposed to a bunch of different and disparate activities with no discernible theme (to use an analogy, law schools prefer the deep and narrow river over the wide and shallow river; it shows commitment and passion to a specific goal or interest). Legal experience is always welcome though!
So, I’d move forward with your plan and do what you can, and that should work out just fine for you!
Marsha Millerton says
I go to a good college and have a GPA of 3.9 but this past summer at another school, I did poorly. How much do law school admissions weigh a poor grade from a different school taken over the summer and will that adversely affect my chances to get into a top law school ?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Marsha,
Thank you for your comment! It really depends on the grade you made to determine how it will factor into your 3.9 and affect your LSAC GPA (for more information about LSAC GPA vs. Transcript GPA, please check out this blog post: https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/bid-153462-why-is-my-lsac-gpa-different-from-my-transcript-gpa/). Also, keep in mind that your GPA is one half of a very important equation for schools, but your LSAT is the other, more important half. You’ll want to do as well as possible in your remaining classes so that your GPA is as high as possible, and score well enough on your LSAT so that your application is as strong as possible.
Feel free to utilize one of our favorite resources for researching data on nearly all of the ABA-approved schools in North America: LSAC’s LSAT/GPA Calculator. This tool allows you to input your undergraduate GPA and your highest LSAT score (or a score you’re realistically aiming for), and get feedback on where each stands relative to attendees at individual schools, as well as your likely odds of duplicating that result on those figures.
Thank you!
Jake says
Hello!
I attended a community college for several years and accumulated about 120 units. I earned a 4.0 while there. Not all of my classes transferred; I wasn’t sure where to transfer to and switched majors a couple times. When I eventually transferred, I earned a 3.65 at my degree school and took about 65 units. My academic summary shows that my degree gpa is a 3.65 and my cumulative gpa is a 3.90.
1) Do you think I should address the dip in grades post transfer?
2) Do you believe schools still treat me like a 3.9 candidate?
3) Do you think I should be very concerned or is this a nonissue?
I’d appreciate your honest advice.
Thank you.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Jake,
This is far less of an issue than I think you believe it is 🙂
1. No. Now, if there’s some external explanation (see out podcast on addenda that just came out yesterday), then I could see writing one, but not otherwise. Listen to that episode–there’s a GPA section we discuss in there, at https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/podcast/78/.
2. You are a 3.9 candidate. Whatever your CAS GPA is, that’s what you are to schools 🙂
3. It’s a non-issue.
Enjoy, it’s not a problem at all!
Jake says
Thank you!
One other question.
While I was at community college, I attended most semesters part-time. Would that also be an issue?
Dave Killoran says
No, they would assume you were working during that time in all likelihood 🙂
Jake says
Thank you Dave!
Taylor says
Hello!
I recently changed my major from History Education to just History with hopes of attending law school. I had always wanted to go, but was too scared. As I got older I realized, I should do what I truly want.
I have two withdrawals on my transcript and one C. My overall GPA right now is a 3.47, I know not good, but I had some health issues that really hurt me in the process.
Another thing to note is that I am now completing a 3+2 program meaning I will graduate with a Masters and Bachelors in History. I’m unsure if I have an exact question but am wondering if you think I will even have a shot of getting into a law school like University of Kentucky or University of Louisville.
I am now working extremely hard to ensure I get A’s in the rest of my courses including masters courses.
Best,
Taylor
Dave Killoran says
Hi Taylor,
Thanks for the message! If your GPA stays at 3.47, then it will be down to your LSAT to determine whether you have a real shot. If you can score above 157 (the higher the better), then you’d have a really strong shot at both schools. Yes, your GPA is slightly below the 50th percentile median GPA at both, but 157 or higher would take you over the 75th percentile median LSAT score at each school. Score a 160, and you’d be almost a certain lock at each school!
So, finish up school strong, then focus on the LSAT and you should be in good shape. We’re here to help when you start that process 🙂
Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!
Chloe says
Hello! I am not looking to get into any top 14 law schools, but definitely aiming for some well-respected ones. I am a junior and was wondering if when it comes to taking electives, should I reach for a high 300 level (nearly 400) that I’m not positive I will excel in, or would a lower-level course (possibly even an intro) that I know I will get an A in be better? If it helps at all, I have a 3.5 and hold multiple leadership positions in established clubs right now.
Also, when it comes to the pandemic and many universities allowing pass/fail, how much is too much? I have not opted into that system because I feel my actual As and Bs look much better on my transcript, but I have a friend who got multiple Cs yet because of pass/fail has kept a 3.8 GPA intact. I understand that law schools are taking the harder times into consideration, but do you think they will also draw a line somewhere? It’s disappointing that I have worked harder and actually made good grades, yet other people are able to sweep their bad grades under the rug.
Jon Denning says
Hi Chloe – thanks for visiting the blog and for posting! You ask some really interesting questions!
Law schools will receive your full transcript and likely take note of the classes you’ve taken, so there is some value in committing to a more rigorous/prestigious course of study, but the truth is that ultimately it’s a numbers game: a higher GPA achieved via slightly easier coursework is going to carry more weight than a lower GPA resulting from tougher classes. So in that regard, knowing you’ll get As in the lower-level courses vs uncertainty in higher-level courses, the scales tip in favor of the better grades over the greater esteem.
The Pass/Fail choice is, at face value, another slightly tricky one, but happily when it comes to law schools the answer is straightforward: avoid the Pass/Fail option, especially if you feel confident you’ll get all-As with a particular course selection. Not only do Pass/Fail results give law schools virtually no information about your actual achievement, but a Pass is also not counted towards your overall GPA by LSAC! So a bunch of “Pass” entries on your transcript won’t bring that 3.5 up at all, while obviously a series of As would.
Here’s LSAC’s explanation of how their CAS GPA calculations work: https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school/jd-application-process/cas/requesting/transcript-summarization
And an excellent article from UMass’s pre-law page with even more info/advice on course selection and transcripts: http://prelaw.umass.edu/topics/grades
I hope that helps!
Apple says
Hi there,
I have a question regarding transcripts and how important they are. I took a course that was not part of my credit requirement but just wanted to do it because I was curious. I ended up failing the course because I didn’t pay much attention to it and honestly this year hasn’t been great. My overall GPA is 3.7 and this course doesn’t matter at all in the overall GPA. I have already graduated so I don’t even know what to do. Please let me know if this can be a problem for law schools. Is it still worth applying?
Thanks,
Apple
Dave Killoran says
Hi Apple,
Thanks for the question! I can’t tell if this class was post-graduate, in which case it wouldn’t be part of your uGPA, or just not part of your major. But, what I’d do is write an addendum that explains why the class was failed. The pandemic is providing lots of free passes for things like this, so I don’t think it’s fatal to your chances at all 🙂
Thanks!
Reina says
I was also considering possibly doing a masters to possibly try to I guess raise my gpa, it would probably also be in a stem field. I would like to know if you think this is something I should still consider/pursue further?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Reina,
I’m going to answer these out of order (and likely some hours apart). The clear answer here is: do not take on a graduate degree just to raise your GPA. Law schools heavily discount graduate degree GPAs, and instead use your undergraduate GPA (uGPA). The uGPa is the number reported to the ABA and thus used for rankings, so that is the one that matters most.
Graduate GPAs are discounted for three reasons: not everyone has one, law schools presume grade inflation exists in grad programs, and the grad GPAs don’t affect rankings. I talked about this in a recent free webinar I did, at https://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/secrets-of-the-law-school-admissions-process-webinar-with-dave-killoran/. Go to the 38:24 mark and listen in for more details (in fact, the webinar would likely be off help to you!).
In any event, your uGPA is fixed once you graduate; you can’t change it or your GPA profile by getting a grad degree, so regrettably this is not the best use of your time as far as applying to law school! I’d only make this decision if it was something you truly were interested in and planned to pursue regardless.
Thanks!
Riena says
Hello,
I am currently a 3rd-year computer major and am actually set to graduate a year early. My grades at the beginning weren’t stellar due to going off of my medication for ADD because it made my mental disorder worse. During my second year, I finally was able to find a good combination for the medication and my grades have gotten better. My GPA is currently about a 3.0 (pulled down by my earlier semesters), but I have gotten an LSAT score of 167. In addition, since the pandemic, my university has allowed students to take a pass/fail on a couple of classes which I have taken advantage of.
I was wondering if a couple of things would be factored in and with how much weight:
1) Having a disability
2) my graduating a year early
3) my being in a stem field
4) having pass/fails on my transcript
I would really appreciate your feedback! (thanks in advance)
Dave Killoran says
Hi Riena,
Thanks for the message, and let’s take a look at your points. I will say beforehand that the exact factors and weights can’t be determined, and in fact change from school to school. So, there’s no exact formula and it’s all very general. That said, let’s take a look:
1. It’s a positive when presented well, and I’d suggest addressing it in an addendum or your personal statement so they understand more about who you are. It’s not just about the disability, by the way, and much more about how you discuss it and what you’ve learned and overcome.
2. Extremely minor factor, not necessarily a positive. Law school takes maturity, so being even younger isn’t seen as a real positive.
3. A positive. Law school classes need people from all walks, and while STEM majors have been growing in numbers, humanities is still more common. Anything that sets you apart typically helps, so this is a good thing to be!
4. Zero factor. Law schools know these are extraordinary times, and so no one is going to be penalized for some pass/fail classes during a pandemic 🙂
Thanks!
Katie says
I started off college with high 3.8 until spring semester of my sophomore year. There was some heavy stuff going on in my life, and I was a STEM major at the time getting into some upper level courses. I’m a first gen URM & although I was incredibly unhappy my with major, I didn’t really know what to do because no one in my family had been through college & I didn’t want to disappoint my them, & I had already spent 1.5 years working towards this major.
Basically, spring semester my sophomore I absolutely tanked. I failed intro to bio & did poorly in a couple other STEM classes, with my over GPA going from a 3.8 to a 3.3. As my college course continued, I had a couple more semesters as a STEM major, doing not so hot in a total of 3 courses, which I ended repeating (the only one I actually failed was bio).
Besides the semester I tanked, the lowest grade I got for a course I was genuinely interested in was a 3.0. After switching my major, I progressed into upper level courses & did well. I ended up with a 3.54 GPA.
My 3.54 GPA calculated by my university is not factoring in the original grades I got in the 3 courses I ended up repeated. They take the grade I got when I repeated the course, which is better.
My question is- how much will my CAS GPA fluctuate from the 3.54, considering they will factor in the original grades from the repeated courses? And more importantly- considering my high starting GPA, then the tanked semester, then again an upwards trend once I switched majors, is it even worthwhile to apply to T-14s?
I’m taking the LSAT for the first time in January & then sending in my apps. I’m PT-ing in the 170s. I’m just worried about being considered apart of the group whose grades fluctuate, like you mentioned in your discussion above.
All the best,
Katie
Dave Killoran says
Hi Katie,
Thanks for the message! I have a few thoughts here in response to the various question you posed:
• “My question is- how much will my CAS GPA fluctuate from the 3.54, considering they will factor in the original grades from the repeated courses?” — Assuming you failed those three courses, that will add three Fs to your grade calculation (or whatever grades you received in those classes you eventually took again). Since each person’s GPA is calculated using number of classes taken and grades received, it often varies for each person since some schools use quarters, others semesters, and you may have taken more classes than needed, etc. So, I can’t calculate the exact impact for you, but you can do that easily by adding three more classes with those three grades to your current numbers. I’m sorry to say the impact could be significant, however.
• “I’m just worried about being considered apart of the group whose grades fluctuate, like you mentioned in your discussion above.” — This is where a GPA addendum comes in. You need to write one an explain what happened (especially the part about “some heavy stuff going on in my life”). That will help the committee understand that your performance wasn’t random, and that you just needed to get on the right path.
• “And more importantly- considering my high starting GPA, then the tanked semester, then again an upwards trend once I switched majors, is it even worthwhile to apply to T-14s?” — There’s actually a lot to like about your profile here: first gen, URM, 170s LSAT score (likely). I think the GPA will really hinder you in the top half of the T14, but in the bottom half I’d take a few shots, especially if you can put together a compelling personal statement and GPA addendum.
I hope that helps. Thanks!
JC says
Hi! I am currently a junior about to enter my second semester in undergrad. I have hopes of attending a a top 5 school such as Harvard and Columbia Law. I have so far received majority As and a few Bs (mainly during my freshman year). However, this semester I might be receiving my first C+. My GPA did dip a bit but I may be able to raise it back to a 3.7-3.72 range next semester and have an upward trend. I am wondering if this single C will significantly ruin any chances I have at a top school or if my overall GPA matters more. This semester has been tough considering the online environment and my school did not offer any P/F options so I am a little bit concerned what this means for me
Thanks!
Dave Killoran says
Hi JC,
Thanks for the message! Admissions at any of the top schools is a bit of a black box, so you never really know at a school like Harvard how things will be perceived. That said, if there was ever a time to get a lower grade, this would be it since there is a clear and easy explanation that everyone can understand: the pandemic and remote learning. So, it’s not a death knell, but do everything in your power to bring those grades back up this next semester (and consider delaying apps into late December next year to take advantage of Fall 2021 semester grades being reported so you can raise that average even higher).
I’d also make sure that your LSAT score is as good as possible–into the mid-170s and higher if you are looking at those schools. A higher LSAT score will help assuage any concerns about academic performance, and offset what at this point would be a GPA that at Harvard is below the 25th percentile median and is right at it for Columbia.
If we can help further along the way, especially with the LSAT, just let us know!
Roshan says
Hello!
My undergrad majors are German & Sociology (with honors) and I am minoring in math. I’ve taken classes in many different subjects, however, including multiple poly sci courses, philosophy, etc.
I have a 3.9 GPA, however this current quarter I am pass/failing one 400 level math class (I am getting a “pass”) and because of a scheduling issue (which I have proof of) there is also a “register drop” on my transcript this quarter. Will this one quarter be a deal breaker in terms of grades (assuming I can get the median GPA of my target schools)? I have heard that law schools are taking these online quarters slightly more leniently.. I don’t know. People tell me one pass/fail isn’t a big deal, but it definitely feels a little gut wrenching going onto my transcript..
I’m not necessarily trying to go to a top 50 law school, but will still apply to respectable ones with median GPAs around 160.
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Roshan!
This will not affect your application. 😊 Generally speaking for law schools, according to the policy on LSAC’s website, “Pass-Fail” grading systems are not calculated into CAS GPA. The CAS GPA is what is reported to law schools, and law schools do not use a separate GPA they calculate on their own.
As stated on LSAC’S website: “Grades Excluded from Conversion:
Passing grades from systems of one or two passing grades (e.g., Pass/Fail, Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory, Credit/No Credit, or Honors/Pass/Fail, High Pass/Pass/Fail), and those for which conversion rules cannot be formulated, including courses for which a transcript gives only narratives or descriptions. Credits for the work in these courses are totaled and reported separately as unconverted credits. The only exception to this policy is for a reported grade below C-minus from a two-passing-grade grading system (e.g., Credit/D/Fail) when the issuing institution includes this grade in their calculation of a GPA.”
In addition, LSAC and Law Schools are certainly all aware of the impact COVID-19 is having, and LSAC has stated: “Law schools are fully aware of and understand that virtually all students enrolled during the spring 2020 COVID-19 pandemic experienced significant disruption in their living and learning arrangements. Law schools are also aware that many undergraduate and graduate schools changed their grading systems to allow or require Pass/Fail grades in lieu of their traditional grading systems and will not penalize any applicant for presenting Pass/Fail grades. LSAC will place a letter in the CAS report of every applicant enrolled during spring 2020, reminding law schools of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the population and on higher education.”
So in short, pass/fail grades do not affect your CAS GPA, which is what the law schools are concerned about. In addition, law schools are very much aware of the unique situation students are in this year (law schools are going through the same thing!), and will not be looking at pass/fail or similar grading systems negatively.
I hope this information helps! Thanks!
Karl says
Hello!
I was about to send off my applications when I stumbled onto this very helpful blog post and comments section. My cumulative undergrad GPA at a UC was 3.67 according to LSAC (3.63 according to transcript), but with some irregularities. My first two years were fairly steady, 3.52 and 3.64, with a drop to 3.33 my junior year, and a jump to 4.07 in my senior year. Senior year was all upper division major-related courses, so it’s not like I was attempting to pad my GPA with throw-away classes. The cause for the drop and subsequent jump was stretching myself too thin with internships and extracurriculars, and then stopping to focus on academics.
Is this worth an addendum? I question whether it will be seen as a sign of weakness that I had to stop focusing on my extracurriculars (though I did pick up a part-time job) in order to achieve good grades. Is it even worth drawing the adcom’s attention to something like this? If it’s relevant to this question, my LSAT is in the high 160s.
Thank you very much!
Dave Killoran says
Hi Karl,
Thanks for the question! I don’t think this warrants an addendum. 3.52 and 3.64 aren’t really all that far off of 3.33–it’s not even a 10% drop. So, I think you’d be drawing attention to something that isn’t likely create a big question mark to begin with. And the explanation might cause them to wonder about your ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, something that is a worry for any law school looking at prospective students 🙂
Thanks!
Brendan Smith says
Hello!
I would appreciate any help with this question. I took an extra few courses as part of my undergraduate degree, leading me to now be in my 9th semester. I am in a criminology major with a minor in law and business, and my GPA is at a 3.9.
However, I have a feeling that these courses may drop my GPA a bit, most likely toward a 3.7. I have not taken the LSAT yet, but I am aware that going into application processes with a 3.7 is not the end of the world in the case I achieve a high 160 on the LSAT. I also know that this can be seen as getting worse throughout my time with the school, despite 4 strong years prior.
I am wondering if these final courses, some of which go toward my degree, will matter much for the application process. I am not sure, given that these courses are beyond 4 years, and were not taken in a full year (i.e., it is just an extra semester). Will these potential poorer grades greatly ruin my chances of acceptance to some law schools or other graduate degree programs?
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Thank you once again!
Kindest,
Brendan.
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Brendan,
Thanks for your comment! Law schools care primary about the overall GPA, so while the slight decline in your grade trend may be noticed, it shouldn’t greatly affect your chances of acceptance. Also, keep in mind that your GPA is one half of a very important equation for schools, but your LSAT is the other, more important half. If you can do as well as possible in your remaining classes so that your GPA is as stellar as possible and score well enough on your LSAT, you’ll be in even better shape!
Feel free to utilize one of our favorite resources for researching data on nearly all of the ABA-approved schools in North America: LSAC’s LSAT/GPA Calculator. This tool allows you to input your undergraduate GPA and your highest LSAT score (or a score you’re realistically aiming for), and get feedback on where each stands relative to attendees at individual schools, as well as your likely odds of duplicating that result on those figures.
Thank you!
Zack says
Hi, thank you so much for still answering these questions!
My GPA is on the 25% and my LSAT is a point below the median of my dream school. I applied early decision and in October. In addition, I had impressive growth with my grades during my college career. How often do applicants like me get admitted?
Thank you!
Zack,
Jon Denning says
Hi Zack – thanks for posting!
I always try to give the most honest replies/advice possible when I get questions like this, so I’ll be candid here: the odds aren’t very good. Which isn’t to say it’s impossible, of course, but ultimately you’ve got at least three factors all working against you at the moment.
The first is that your GPA is at the bottom quarter of attending students, and it doesn’t sound like that’s going to change going forward (that is, you aren’t still in school with a few semesters left to pull it up). It isn’t necessarily the most fair system imaginable, but the fact is schools are highly numbers-focused, so if 3/4 of the people the school is successfully recruiting to attend have a higher GPA than you you’re already fighting an uphill battle.
The second is that your GPA isn’t offset by a particularly high LSAT. In fact, your LSAT is also lower than the school’s median, so you’re in the minority of matriculants in that category as well. The good news here is that if you can get your LSAT up around the 75th percentile, which at most schools means maybe just 3-6 more points (a totally realistic improvement), then the extra weight given to LSAT scores can more than offset the low GPA and put you firmly back in the running! So the most immediate take away if I’m in your shoes is to get signed up for a future LSAT, January being the most obvious option, and work like crazy to increase your score! That’s likely the only way to move yourself from extreme long-shot to realistic candidate.
Lastly, and often as something of a surprise to people of late, is that this particular application cycle is looking to be extemely competitive, with applicants up about 30+% and applications up over 50% compared to last year. What that means is you’ve got way more people fighting for seats than we saw in recent cycles, and that makes it even tougher to get in even if you’re at/above past medians (and will almost certainly raise those medians at virtually every school, too). There’s not much you can do about this one, aside from making yourself more competitive with a higher LSAT score. So again that’s the priority.
Beyond those numerical considerations, it sounds like your transcript will show encouraging performance trends through your academic years, and schools do consider that when evaluating people. And with a steller app (great essays/personal statement, solid resume, excellent letters of rec, possibly some helpful addenda) you can improve your chances as well, so consider getting some assistance as you put those pieces together—every little bit that you can do to boost your odds is well worth it!
Don’t let any of the above discourage you! Rather, think over what it realistically means for getting in as you are now, and what steps you can take to nudge the various components into more flattering territory.
I hope that helps!
Elizabeth says
Hi there!
In undergrad I minored in a science, but received almost all B(+/-)’s in those classes and ended up withdrawing from the final requirement. Outside of that minor (which was completely unrelated to the rest of my courses & interests — unsure why I bothered with it in the first place!) I was mostly an A student, and I have a hunch that my final 3.5 GPA would have been higher had I not taken those classes. I am already writing an addendum to explain an off semester (medical issue), and am wondering if I should also address the science minor’s effects on my grades? My LSAT was only a 166 so I’m trying to find every opportunity to boost my application where I can.
Thank you in advance!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for your comment! Given what you’ve described, there’s no need to address the effects of your science minor as it relates to your GPA. An addendum is meant to explain truly unusual circumstances that might raise some eyebrows at the admissions office and raise questions that need to be answered. A STEM major/minor is not so rare these days and admission committees understand the grade issue that’s often associated with those classes or that particular field of study. Feel free to check out additional addenda information here: What’s the Deal with Addenda?.
Thank you!
Ariel says
So I am a senior and I’m currently applying to law school for next school year. I originally planned on doing an honors thesis this year and in doing the thesis I was enrolled in a half credit thesis writing course. But I just realized that I have taken on way too many responsibilities and have spread myself too thin, so I won’t be completing the thesis and doing it as an independent research project in the spring. Since I won’t be doing the thesis I don’t need to be in the writing class there is the possibility that the course may show up as a W on my transcript. How do you think the W will reflect on my transcript to schools?
Dave Killoran says
Hi Ariel,
One or two Ws won’t matter one bit to the law school adcomms!
Thanks!
Joey says
Hi! I completed my freshman year and college was not for me. My GPA ended at around a 2.0. I then left school, took a gap year, worked full time, and then transferred to a different school. I now have maintained a GPA of a 3.8. I have re-taken the classes I did not do well in my freshman year. Since I am at a different institution, those new classes won’t replace the old ones. But anyone looking at my transcripts can tell I took those classes over again and did well. So the vast majority of my credits are at the new institution and my first-year at my old school does not reflect me. If I continue with a 3.8 GPA and do good on the LSAT will I be able to get into U of MT Law School? I know admissions looks at all undergrad grades. But again, I transferred and turned everything around. I also have a personal story to go along with why I struggled at first.
Dave Killoran says
Hi Joey,
Your story will certainly explain those lower early grades, but any law school will still be tied to the final CAS numbers. So, to begin to make a reasonable assessment, I need to know your CAS GPA and your LSAT score. Montana’s medians as 3.37 and 155, and it would seem that GPA-0se you might be right in there. So, if your LSAT meets or exceeds the median, you’d have a good chance 🙂
Thanks!
Eleanor says
Hi! I’m currently in high school and enrolled in a college class at an ivy league but I’m considering switching to pass/fail for this course. I got a 4.0 the previous semester at the same school but am concerned that choosing to switch to pass/fail for this course will impact my law school admissions further down the line as it is for college credit. The course isn’t in my intended major. Should I be concerned?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Elanor,
Thank you for your comment! Please note that pass/fail grades are excluded from GPA calculation. The only time a pass/fail grade could potentially harm your GPA is if you received a grade of C-minus or below. LSAC’s full policy on grade conversion may be found here: https://www.lsac.org/applying-law-school/jd-application-process/cas/requesting/transcript-summarization.
Thank you!
Andy says
Hi, I took college credits in high school, and my gpa was low for those courses. However I have a high gpa for my undergrad now. The cumulative gpa (3.43) is a lot lower than my current gpa (3.69). Will this be looked down upon?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Andy,
Thank you for your comment! Law schools care primarily about your overall GPA and they also pay close attention to performance trends. If anything, your upward trend will look better since your highest grades are most recent. Also, keep in mind that your GPA is one half of a very important equation for schools, but your LSAT is the other, more important half. If you can do as well as possible in your remaining classes so that your GPA is as stellar as possible and score well enough on your LSAT, you’ll be in even better shape!
Thank you!
Sam says
Hi! I’m a student who hopes to get into the lower top 14 schools like Cornell and Georgetown. I wanted to please ask the concerns about my transcript.
So, the assumed flaws that I think found on my transcript records are like this:
1. I have retaken one course. (not a major course but a college algebra math elective course) First time I got ‘E’ at my second semester of freshman, and next time I replaced it with ‘A’. Is it a so bad thing? Do they look it bad the fact that I got an E grade even if it’s replaced later? I understand that it will hurt my gpa for the LSAC converted GPA. What I was wondering is if having one E is like a disaster even if it’s replaced with an A later time on the transcript and the reviewers look it so bad.
2. I have 1 CR/NC course on my record. (This one is an elective course not a major course) Would this be a so negative thing?
3. I withdrew from a whole semester in the first semester of sophomore year due to a medical reason: at the early of the semester, I got a car accident and things went gradually so bad, and it ended up that I had to take a surgery in the middle of the semester. (For this reason, I have a lots of W on my transcript. Though I can explain the reason for having many Ws on my transcript with the circumstance that I was put into in addendum, I was still concerned what if this still looks bad and the reviewers don’t have good impression.)
4. Through the 8 semesters of my 4 years college life, I have the trend of taking only four classes for the early college semesters -starting from second semester of freshmen until first&second semesters of sophomore and first semester of junior- instead of taking the 5 full courses.
Later, I improved though. I took 7 courses for each of the remaining semesters before I graduate- starting from second semester of junior and first&second semester of senior. And I got all of the them A.
Taking that many courses was a means of raising my GPA from what ‘the having E’ ruined my LSAC converted version of GPA. Though I think my grade pattern falls into the ‘improvement trend’ and I also proved that I can take the hard work load through what I’ve done in my Junior and senior years, I was concerned that the fact that I only took 4 courses instead of 5 for my early college life would look bad.
5. I have a history of taking a semester off twice. Each of them was only just the for one semester (6months) though, not like a year or 2 years much long.
And I think (perhaps) I kinda have good enough reason to make it up for the taking offs. The first time I took the semester off, I went to a voluntary mission trip for 6 months to help the refugees in Turkey and Greece. And the second time of me to take the another semester off was due to the covid 19 situation.
However, I was concerned what if the fact that I still have a history of taking a leave of absence for twice would look bad for the reviewers, along with the ‘flaws’ that I wrote above.
I have a GPA of 3.75 (on college transcript it’s 3.85 but when LSAC converted it’s 3.75) and 169 for the LSAT. And I consider that this score maybe is not so bad to get into the lower top 14 schools. But due to the history of what I’ve been through that’s shown on the transcript (withdrawing the whole semester, taking semesters off twice, one CR/NC course, getting an E), I was worried what if these would block my way of getting into the schools that I want to go, since it makes a negative impact when the reviewers look at my transcript.
I’m so desperate to please listen your objective thoughts and advice on my transcript and the chance of me getting into schools like Cornell and Georgetown with the background of GPA 3.75 and 169 for the LSAT. But, as written, not a good looking transcript.
Thanks!
Jon Denning says
Hi Sam – thanks for the message!
The great news here is that your LSAC GPA of 3.75 is right around the medians for most of the T14 schools (Cornell’s, Georgetown’s, Duke’s, NYU’s, etc are all about a 3.8, for instance), and since that number is really what school’s take into account you’re just fine in terms of credentials! Nothing I’m reading above leads me to believe you’re in any kind of insurmountable trouble admissions-wise with top schools, although I will say that since your GPA isn’t *above* medians I’d recommend looking into an LSAT retake to see if you can get your score up a few points: climbing into the 170s will do wonders for your chances at your target schools!
Further, since your transcript circumstances are a bit unusual—time off and the rest—I’d also advise you to submit an addendum explaining the details to schools so that they have a clearer understanding of exactly what occurred and why.
We’re happy to help you out with that, as we have a program dedicated to situations just like this and that has helped countless students smooth out any transcript wrinkles that might otherwise pose a problem: https://www.powerscore.com/lsat/law-school-admissions/
An hour or two with a consultant would ensure that any concerns you, or schools, might have about your undergrad journey are competently explained and thoroughly resolved, so consider investing in that opportunity and putting any lingering fears to rest 🙂
I hope that helps!
Sam says
Thanks for the thoughtful explanation. It indeed helps. I do appreciate.
Just a one more quick question.
As for one of the semesters in my senior year, I took the courses during the summer class season. (I took 22 credits, 7 courses for that semester).
Would this look bad or many any difference that I spent a semester during summer class time from the regular spring and fall season?
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Sam,
Thanks for the post. No, law schools shouldn’t be concerned that you took classes during a summer semester. 😊
Thanks!
Julie says
Hi! First of all, in case this info may help, I am one of those students showing an upward trend in GPA. I heard that law schools look at not just your GPA, but also what courses you took, and the level of the courses. Thus I was wondering if taking more upper-level courses such as 400 level courses would provide more merit to my application? I have had situations where I found the topics of 300 level courses to be more interesting, but was not sure if I should choose other 400 level courses over the 300 level ones since law schools also look at the level of the courses. Please let me know!
PowerScore Test Prep says
Hi Julie,
Thank you for your comment! Please keep in mind that not everyone’s transcript will be analyzed, and the most important components to your law school application will be your GPA and LSAT score. Just make sure you’re picking classes that complement your major and challenge you (which is typically the case with 300 level courses and above). And naturally, you’ll need to do as well as possible in the classes so that your GPA is as stellar as possible!
Thank you!
Anna says
Hi there,
So, I had a really rough time at my first college.. I was there for about 2 yrs and went through lots of family things, deaths, etc. As a result, at the end of my time at this school I had a 2.8 GPA. However, I then decided it was time to make a change/get my act together. I left my hometown and transferred to a new university for a fresh start. My GPA at the new institution, which I attended for three years, was a 3.5 (This actually would have been much higher had I not gotten a D in dumb classes like PE and transfer student studies..). I recently graduated from the 2nd school with my bachelors degree. My question is whether my GPA from my first college will seriously hurt my chances of getting into law school even with a 3.5 from my degree-granting institution? Is it still worthwhile applying?
Thanks,
Anna
Dave Killoran says
Hi Anna,
Thanks for the question! Well, there are different parts here, so I’ll try to cover them in a rough order:
* Yes, your initial GPA will have an effect. LSAC calculates your entire undergrad GPA into one number, so it will factor in those grades. If you took equal number of classes at the two schools, you could be looking at a CAS GPA of 3.15 or so.
* But, you can write an addendum that explains what happened, and that will at least answer the natural questions that would be raised by your transcript.
* Your GPA is one half of a very important equation for schools, but your LSAT is the other, more important half. If you can score well enough on your LSAT, it can directly offset your GPA. you would then be what is known as a Splitter, and splitters can have very successful application cycles since a high LSAT is less common than a high GPA, and so more coveted.
* Depending on the schools you are targeting, it can very much be worth your time. In your position, i would look at various schools that interest me, and check their 25/50/75th medians for both GPA and LSAT. That will help guide your choices and give you a sense of your chances.
Please let me know if that helps. Thanks!