Low 160s for first time taker, with other details.
Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 5:14 am
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Lots going on here...jfromtheway wrote:I go to a growing state school in Texas, Texas State, and had an International Relations core GPA of 3.6 (discounting French), but overall a 3.1 largely due to me starting over with the French language: taking 5 semesters of it when I could have begun at Spanish 4. All my major courses were generally aced, many WI courses and A's in most of the high level classes (the only C coming in "intro to intl studies") and I received a B in my last French 5 literature course, showing a trend of my grades topping high marks at the beginning of core courses/ end of my college career. But this is not a very reputable school. I'm 26 and received a large settlement at the age of 21 (all gone by 24), but I used this money to travel, so I can say that I've been to over 40 countries, spent almost 2 years of my life abroad since HS in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and spent 6 months trying to write a book, unsuccessfully, of course. But if I'm guessing right, things like that are mostly negligible to most institutions of merit anyway, and their GPA rankings of long-haul academic consistency. I have trouble figuring out where to apply, and though I would like to stay close to Austin, I am interested in any chances I would have at schools in other states, if aid/rates are acceptable.
I don't have any real work experience, but I'm an excellent writer by pedigree, and I'm curious about the core GPA significance in regard to my major, related to world travel experience if explained well in letters in regard to international business law aspirations, combined with an LSAT score over 160. I worked hard to make up for screwing up in HS and I just want a fair assessment. I have a good non-profit internship reference and a reference from the French 5 professor mentioned above, as of now. The LSAT is my kind of test, but would taking the time to bump over a 165 or so be worth my time? Or, simply, what would you do or where would you apply if you were me, or making decisions for me from what you've read in this? Thanks for taking the time to read, I am a great fan of this forum and I appreciate all responses.
1. Unfortunately, your major gpa doesn't concern LS too much - it's your cumulative that counts.
2. Depending on what you want to do, where you want to go, and how much you want to spend, you could retake for a 165+ and probably sneak into some T50 schools next cycle. Or, you could keep your 160+ and get into some good 50-100 schools, even getting some $$.
3. Sounds like you had a good trip. Congrats.
4. Nonprofit LOR is good - you could even work through the summer and increase your softs and WE to help supplement your gpa (which, honestly, is not that bad.)