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Hey guys, first time poster, will be contributing much more (most likely) in the coming months as I will be writing the LSAT in June. My question this evening is regarding GPA. I've always been a strong student, and currently have an 87 overall average (a 3.9 on my school's 4.0 system (we're talking Canada here)). However, I just looked at the LSAC grading scale for GPA and it lists me as being a 3.33/B+ student according to the above numbers. What is this witchcraft? Could someone clarify this for me and explain if this system trumps the transcript sent by your school to LSAC. I'm somewhat uneasy about it, regardless of the fact that it doesn't change my grades themselves, but rather how they are presented to Law schools.

PS: Given the grades given above (I will probably graduate 4th year with the same average, just wrapped up 3rd), what would be the lowest I would need to score to remain competitive in the pool of applicants, approximately?

Thanks for anyones input, it is greatly appreciated

Do you have any withdraw? Do you have any invompletes? Do you have any other oddly coded classes? Lsac evaluates these In different ways.

No I do not have any of the above things mentioned, but thanks for checking. I was just basing the LSAC numbers on this: http://www.lsac.org/JD/Help/faqs-cas.asp#gpa-different Under: "My cumulative GPA is different on my transcripts than on the LSAC Academic Summary Report. Why?" It lists a chart. That is what I am referencing. I haven't sent transcripts or anything else into LSAC yet.

An 87= 3.9/4.0?

It looks right to me. Your UG's "GPA" is inflated, afaik American schools tend to grade roughly on the 90 for an A-, 80 for a B-, etc scale. At least that's been my experience in my GenEd and some math classes. You should end up somewhere in the 3.0 to 3.3 range.

SaintsTheMetal wrote:It looks right to me. Your UG's "GPA" is inflated, afaik American schools tend to grade roughly on the 90 for an A-, 80 for a B-, etc scale. At least that's been my experience in my GenEd and some math classes. You should end up somewhere in the 3.0 to 3.3 range.

Law schools in Canada must grade differently then. They consider a 3.5 to a 3.4 to be average, and typically that ranges from 82-84 depending on the institution. We have a different grading scale here. Regardless, my earlier second question still stands. But thanks for the input.

FYI in Canada a 4.0 is a 90-100, 85-89 typically a 3.9. Just for a frame of reference.

Are you looking at US law schools, or Canadian schools?

Canadian.

Jenksz wrote: FYI in Canada a 4.0 is a 90-100, 85-89 typically a 3.9. Just for a frame of reference.

Seriously? That's nuts. I'd like to see that graphed out. So a 3.8 would be something like 80-84? Would a 3.0 be failing?

I'm not trying to be facetious, that just seems like a really bizarre grading system to me.

elterrible78 wrote:

Jenksz wrote: FYI in Canada a 4.0 is a 90-100, 85-89 typically a 3.9. Just for a frame of reference.

Seriously? That's nuts. I'd like to see that graphed out. So a 3.8 would be something like 80-84? Would a 3.0 be failing?

I'm not trying to be facetious, that just seems like a really bizarre grading system to me.

Ask and you shall receive (All Canadian universities are listed below the chart): --LinkRemoved--

Jenksz wrote:

elterrible78 wrote:

Jenksz wrote: FYI in Canada a 4.0 is a 90-100, 85-89 typically a 3.9. Just for a frame of reference.

Seriously? That's nuts. I'd like to see that graphed out. So a 3.8 would be something like 80-84? Would a 3.0 be failing?

I'm not trying to be facetious, that just seems like a really bizarre grading system to me.

Ask and you shall receive (All Canadian universities are listed below the chart): --LinkRemoved--

Thanks for that. That's really interesting. Just going by column 3 (which appears to be the one you are using), there is no distinction whatsoever on the 4.0 scale between 90 - 100, a .3 difference between an 80 and an 89, and a .6 difference between a 70 and a 79. I kind of don't get it, but if it works for you guys up there, fine. You're right, though...you're probably looking at about a 3.35 or so GPA once you submit your stuff to the LSAC.

elterrible78 wrote:

Jenksz wrote:

elterrible78 wrote:

Jenksz wrote: FYI in Canada a 4.0 is a 90-100, 85-89 typically a 3.9. Just for a frame of reference.

Seriously? That's nuts. I'd like to see that graphed out. So a 3.8 would be something like 80-84? Would a 3.0 be failing?

I'm not trying to be facetious, that just seems like a really bizarre grading system to me.

Ask and you shall receive (All Canadian universities are listed below the chart): --LinkRemoved--

Thanks for that. That's really interesting. Just going by column 3 (which appears to be the one you are using), there is no distinction whatsoever on the 4.0 scale between 90 - 100, a .3 difference between an 80 and an 89, and a .6 difference between a 70 and a 79. I kind of don't get it, but if it works for you guys up there, fine. You're right, though...you're probably looking at about a 3.35 or so GPA once you submit your stuff to the LSAC.

Anytime. Is that kind of GPA competitive south of the border for upper tier law schools? Just curious.

You're all wrong. LSAC converts Canadian GPA's differently. Note the asterisk in the table saying %-age scale GPA's may be converted differently.

rayiner wrote:You're all wrong. LSAC converts Canadian GPA's differently. Note the asterisk in the table saying %-age scale GPA's may be converted differently.

I did see that, however I didn't see it say anything about Canada being graded differently. Maybe you could provide some insight into that.

Jenksz wrote:

rayiner wrote:You're all wrong. LSAC converts Canadian GPA's differently. Note the asterisk in the table saying %-age scale GPA's may be converted differently.

I did see that, however I didn't see it say anything about Canada being graded differently. Maybe you could provide some insight into that.

If your Canadian transcript has letter grade equivalents, they'll just use that (ask your administration to send a transcript with letter equivalents). Otherwise, they'll use some black magic to do the conversion, but they account for the fact that Canadian GPA's are on a different scale.

See this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/archives ... =2&t=84651

rayiner wrote:

Jenksz wrote:

rayiner wrote:You're all wrong. LSAC converts Canadian GPA's differently. Note the asterisk in the table saying %-age scale GPA's may be converted differently.

I did see that, however I didn't see it say anything about Canada being graded differently. Maybe you could provide some insight into that.

If your Canadian transcript has letter grade equivalents, they'll just use that (ask your administration to send a transcript with letter equivalents). Otherwise, they'll use some black magic to do the conversion, but they account for the fact that Canadian GPA's are on a different scale.

See this thread: http://www.top-law-schools.com/archives ... =2&t=84651

Thanks for that

elterrible78 wrote:

Jenksz wrote: FYI in Canada a 4.0 is a 90-100, 85-89 typically a 3.9. Just for a frame of reference.

Seriously? That's nuts. I'd like to see that graphed out. So a 3.8 would be something like 80-84? Would a 3.0 be failing?

I'm not trying to be facetious, that just seems like a really bizarre grading system to me.

The heavy-woodedness of Canada has clearly led them to use the logarithm method.

BVest wrote:

elterrible78 wrote:

Jenksz wrote: FYI in Canada a 4.0 is a 90-100, 85-89 typically a 3.9. Just for a frame of reference.

Seriously? That's nuts. I'd like to see that graphed out. So a 3.8 would be something like 80-84? Would a 3.0 be failing?

I'm not trying to be facetious, that just seems like a really bizarre grading system to me.

The heavy-woodedness of Canada has clearly led them to use the logarithm method.

Bravo sir.

Well, based on my limited information, it looks like you're pretty solidly in the 3.8+ area. With a decent LSAT score (165+), according to the very limited information on LSN (and the very limited knowledge I have of Canadian law schools), you should be in at Toronto and Osgoode.

On the other hand, if you don't mind coming down to the states, you could also be T14 material with an LSAT in the 170's. If I were in your spot, I'd take the LSAT in June while aiming for anything above 165 and apply to all the Canadian schools you want. Then I'd study over the summer, shoot for a 170+ on the October, and potentially increase scholarship money. When you get your scores back, consider applying for the T14 American schools (for free, since you'll almost certainly get fee-waivers) and maybe you'll rethink your options at that point. Or maybe you'll stick with good times in t3h Canadas. Either way, if you're actually in the 3.8+ zone, you're in a good place regardless.