How much does GPA help/hurt?

Comments

• 1 Like

  mjmonte17 Alum Member

  September 2018 757 karma

  I have heard that acceptance is 70% LSAT 30% GPA (excluding softs).
• Traianus Member

  September 2018 120 karma

  @mjmonte17 said:
  I have heard that acceptance is 70% LSAT 30% GPA (excluding softs).

  This seems reasonable. So you think that a person above the 75th percentile for GPA could be accepted if they were under the median LSAT but above 25th percentile?
• mjmonte17 Alum Member

  September 2018 757 karma

  I can’t say for sure, I would use the 7Sage acceptance predictor to get a rough idea.
• Lawster9 Alum Member

  September 2018 393 karma

  Maybe check out this tool from the LSAC: https://officialguide.lsac.org/Release/UGPALSAT/UGPALSAT.aspx

  It predicts your chances of acceptance to different schools based on your LSAT score and GPA.
• 1 Like

  eRetaker Free Trial Member

  September 2018 2043 karma

  Median LSAT means that half the people in the class have below that score so why wouldn't you think someone with above the 75th GPA and 25th to 50th LSAT could be accepted lol
• 1 Like

  Leah M B Alum Member ⭐

  September 2018 8392 karma

  GPA is somewhat less significant, but still very important. It depends on the school though. Chicago is known for having higher GPA standards than any other school. But they also want a high LSAT.

  Also, retaking LSAT is obviously always an option that will give you better chances. Some people argue there is no such thing as a “reverse splitter” (someone with high GPA and low LSAT) since LSAT is under your control and you can work to raise it, whereas GPA is fixed once you’ve graduated.
• 1 Like

  samantha.ashley92 Alum Member

  September 2018 edited September 2018 1777 karma

  I'm in the same boat as you. I have a 3.80 GPA but looking at schools in the top 20-30. The median GPA for these schools is about 3.5-3.65, and the median LSAT score is about 163-165. So I figure I can get into one of those schools with a point or two below the LSAT median, and hopefully get some scholarship if I get a little above the median.
• Traianus Member

  September 2018 120 karma

  @"Leah M B" said:
  GPA is somewhat less significant, but still very important. It depends on the school though. Chicago is known for having higher GPA standards than any other school. But they also want a high LSAT.

  Also, retaking LSAT is obviously always an option that will give you better chances. Some people argue there is no such thing as a “reverse splitter” (someone with high GPA and low LSAT) since LSAT is under your control and you can work to raise it, whereas GPA is fixed once you’ve graduated.

  Yeah I've heard that certain places like Chicago place more of an emphasis on GPA than others (e.g. Stanford). I took the LSAT last Saturday and I think I'm just concerned that the "test day penalty" pushing me 1-2 points below the median at my target schools. Hopefully I won't need to retake it but it's true that it's always an option.
• 1 Like

  Traianus Member

  September 2018 120 karma

  @eRetaker said:
  Median LSAT means that half the people in the class have below that score so why wouldn't you think someone with above the 75th GPA and 25th to 50th LSAT could be accepted lol

  lol when you put it that way I mean it seems like your chances aren't too bad. I think that when you look at stats it seems like the mentality is "median or bust" and I'm guilty of thinking that way too. Nice to have some perspective sometimes.
• eRetaker Free Trial Member

  September 2018 2043 karma

  @Traianus Yeah from the sound of it you seem like a strong candidate so just apply broadly and you should get some good offers. Off the top of my head, Chicago, Penn, UVA, Berkeley, and Cornell likes the high GPA applicants. Penn is a good example of a school that takes a lot of reverse splitters. They essentially fill their entire class with high LSAT/Low GPA and high GPA/low LSAT admits to obtain their high medians, as evidenced by their relatively low 25ths.
• 1 Like

  ChaimtheGreat Alum Member 🍌🍌

  September 2018 1277 karma

  As had been mentioned, GPA is the second most important aspect of your application. For some however, it is a part that is no longer within their control (unless they are in undergrad). There are schools that favor reverse splitters and put an emphasis on GPA but while you are still in studying for the LSAT I wouldn't worry about it. Focus on getting your LSAT score up and then you will get a better picture. Good luck!
• 1 Like

  Traianus Member

  September 2018 120 karma

  @eRetaker said:
  @Traianus Yeah from the sound of it you seem like a strong candidate so just apply broadly and you should get some good offers. Off the top of my head, Chicago, Penn, UVA, Berkeley, and Cornell likes the high GPA applicants. Penn is a good example of a school that takes a lot of reverse splitters. They essentially fill their entire class with high LSAT/Low GPA and high GPA/low LSAT admits to obtain their high medians, as evidenced by their relatively low 25ths.

  Thank you, I'll definitely be applying to quite a few of those. Hopefully my LSAT score comes back where I don't split, or only dip below the median by a point or two. That being said, it's nice to know there's a place at very good schools for those of us who do
• 1 Like

  Traianus Member

  September 2018 120 karma

  @ChaimtheGreat said:
  As had been mentioned, GPA is the second most important aspect of your application. For some however, it is a part that is no longer within their control (unless they are in undergrad). There are schools that favor reverse splitters and put an emphasis on GPA but while you are still in studying for the LSAT I wouldn't worry about it. Focus on getting your LSAT score up and then you will get a better picture. Good luck!

  LSAT is done for now, hoping for good news on the 29th :')