How much does grade trend really help? Forum

[SarahKerrigan]

There seems to be a lot of mixed thoughts on this, and wanted some clarification. Say for example for your first two years of school you had a 2.5, then your final two years of school you had a 4.0, and ended up with an overall 3.25. Would the fact that you had a massive upward trend your final years make your low GPA look a lot better than it really is, or will your low GPA still severely hurt your chances at getting into a top school?

[descartesb4thehorse]

They aren't mutually exclusive.

Your 3.25 will look better if it's a 2.5->4.0 grade trend, but it won't make a 3.25 look like a 3.75 and a lot of schools won't go that low even with an upward trend.

[TooOld4This]

Your cumulative GPA is the one that needs to be reported by schools. They don't get to * your score and say "but there was an upward trend." For this reason, the upward trend isn't going to make your GPA look better.

However, if you have a high LSAT, or if your GPA is in range of what the school will accept, then the upward trend can make you look better. In other words, if you get past the gate-keeping, then your GPA will be viewed more favorably than someone else with similar numbers, but no upward trend.

[Samara]

I concur with the responses. It looks to be a mediocre soft at best. FWIW, I'm guessing that virtually all T25-caliber splitters have an upward trend and/or a GPA addendum.

[minnbills]

Yeah I would probably side with tooold.

I think an upward trend on its own doesn't mean much but if you've got the LSAT to get in they may overlook a sub-median GPA if you've got the upward trend.

[941law]

The upward trend seems to come in to play when/if you write an addendum for it.

[SarahKerrigan]

thanks for the info!