Why is LSAC GPA always lower than uGPA? Forum

[TLSMM99]

I always noticed people being shock by their LSAC GPA. What causes this? I understand people forget to calculate GPA from previous colleges if they transferred or summer classes elsewhere etc...

I am also aware of the A+ 4.33 GPA thing

What other reasons are there

[dvlthndr]

Three thing come to mind: A+ on the transcript; schools that don’t use a 4 point system; and plain old denial (you occasionally see people putting hope in their “major” GPA, some excuse for a bad semester, the upward trend in their senior year, some graduate degree, etc.).

[nixy]

My LSAC GPA was the same as my undergrad GPA, because I attended only one school where every class was worth the same amount of credit, so it’s certainly possible. A really common reason for the difference seems to be people retaking for credit classes they’ve failed or done poorly in, and not realizing that LSAC will still count the original attempt. Otherwise it’s often what you identify, classes they didn’t think would count (lots of people are really surprised that community college grades count; another one is taking classes for college credit while in high school).

[cavalier1138]

It isn't. My LSAC GPA was higher because it counted a set of community college courses I took while in high school.

[QContinuum]

It isn't. My LSAC GPA was higher because it counted a set of community college courses I took while in high school.

Yep - it's entirely possible for LSAC GPA to be higher; you just don't see posts about it because people don't get upset or feel the need to share the news when they find out their LSAC GPA is higher than the GPA on their transcript.

Though, it's true that there are more potential factors that could cause LSAC GPA to be lower than factors that could cause LSAC GPA to be higher. Counting college credit earned during high school, or community college grades, could cut either way; but LSAC's refusal to recognize universities' "grade forgiveness" decisions really only hurts (and never helps) applicants.

[mastermonkey45]

It isn't. My LSAC GPA was higher because it counted a set of community college courses I took while in high school.

How does this work? I'm in a similar boat; I've got 6 classes that I took at a CC as a dual-enrollment student that count toward my undergraduate degree, all with a 4.0. Neither my University nor the CCs use a 4.33 scale, only up to a 4.0/A grade. So both my LSAC and UG GPA will be a 4.0, right?

[cavalier1138]

It isn't. My LSAC GPA was higher because it counted a set of community college courses I took while in high school.

How does this work? I'm in a similar boat; I've got 6 classes that I took at a CC as a dual-enrollment student that count toward my undergraduate degree, all with a 4.0. Neither my University nor the CCs use a 4.33 scale, only up to a 4.0/A grade. So both my LSAC and UG GPA will be a 4.0, right?

Yes, if you have a college transcript reflecting classes taken with A grades, those will counts as a 4.0.

[Sackboy]

It isn't. My LSAC GPA was higher because it counted a set of community college courses I took while in high school.

How does this work? I'm in a similar boat; I've got 6 classes that I took at a CC as a dual-enrollment student that count toward my undergraduate degree, all with a 4.0. Neither my University nor the CCs use a 4.33 scale, only up to a 4.0/A grade. So both my LSAC and UG GPA will be a 4.0, right?

Yes, if you have a college transcript reflecting classes taken with A grades, those will counts as a 4.0.

+1. This cuts both ways sadly. I had a good friends who went from engineering to law. To prepare for engineering, he took a few higher level math and physics courses his final year of high school. He kind of blew them off due to senioritis. He knew that he just needed Cs to get credit at his uni. Got Cs in about 15 credits worth of coursework. Of course, his university GPA started fresh, and he switched to the law school track in his late junior year. The guy pulled a 3.8 in engineering and was crushed when his LSAC GPA came back at 3.4 or something like that.

[anonanonjd]

3.67 uGPA. 3.86 LSAC GPA.

School considers A's a 3.8. LSAC considers them a 4.0.

[cavalier1138]

3.67 uGPA. 3.86 LSAC GPA.

School considers A's a 3.8. LSAC considers them a 4.0.

...what constitutes a 4.0 at that undergrad?

[anonanonjd]

3.67 uGPA. 3.86 LSAC GPA.

School considers A's a 3.8. LSAC considers them a 4.0.

...what constitutes a 4.0 at that undergrad?

a 4.0 is an A+. There are no A-'s, B-'s, etc... In turn, 80%-89% is an A = 3.8 and same thing with lower percentages too.