Taking an extra yr. of classes to boost GPA Forum

[legalassassin]

I'm an AA Male; will start junior year in a couple weeks. I am currently facing a rather bleak Law School future. My first year and a half of college was rather pathetic. I simply was going to school to please my parents and didn't have ANY clue what I wanted to do with my life. I was working full-time and more concerned with $$ than grades. I ended up losing my FA for a 1.97 GPA. I took a break to sort out my troubles. This was a huge wake-up call for me and I worked and paid for my own classes until I was eligible for FA again. Since then I have gained some insight and turned things around. My GPA now stands at a 3.2 but this includes about six yes SIX retakes (my school calculates the highest grade). I have been on the Vice-President's list (higher than the Deans list at my school mind you) for the last 3 semesters. My lowest grade since I "re-entered" college has been an A-. I am doing very well and I'm in a lot of ECs but, I've got these retakes over my head. I'm strongly considering taking two or three consecutive semesters of courses that interest me at my local CC before I graduate to off-set this horrible GPA. The CC courses will be dirt cheap and I'm not exactly in a rush to graduate in this economy anyway. I know some people say "spend this time studying for the LSAT", but I feel I should do whatever it takes to raise my dismal GPA if I want to get into a good school. Sure I still have semesters ahead of my degree to raise my GPA, but that won't be nearly enough. I will wait until after I graduate to then focus on an LSAT course and getting the best score possible. I'm willing to do whatever I have to do to get into the best LS that I can get into. Do you think "padding" my GPA is a good idea? Why or why not?

[keylimelove]

Do you think "padding" my GPA is a good idea? Why or why not?

In your case I definitely think it is, for all the reasons you have listed.

I ended up losing my FA for a 1.97 GPA.

My GPA now stands at a 3.2 but this includes about six yes SIX retakes (my school calculates the highest grade).

The six retakes will be calculated into your LSAC gpa, and considering that you had a 1.97, I think its fair to say it will bring your current 3.2 so far down that even a terrific LSAT could keep you out of the T20.

The CC courses will be dirt cheap and I'm not exactly in a rush to graduate in this economy anyway.

Cheap+padding your GPA+waiting the economy out=terrific plan, in my opinion.

I know some people say "spend this time studying for the LSAT", but I feel I should do whatever it takes to raise my dismal GPA if I want to get into a good school.

There's no reason why you can't do both. Plenty of people study for the LSAT, take a full college course load, apply to law school and work part-time jobs while still managing to get decent/great GPAs and LSAT scores.

[schuywalker]

OP is a junior, at this juncture taking CC classes, will come across at just what it is, an effort to pad the gpa. Remember that your actual transcripts get sent with your LSAC transcripts, and the admission committee will see the courses that you have taken at CC.

While admissions committees don't usually pay attention to strength of schedule, but dramatic moves like this--going to a community college--are bound to show up, and taking high numbers of units is bound to raise a red flag.

It's a sign of trying to exploit a loophole in the system; admissions committees aren't idiots and will see right through what you're doing. And it's very, very possible that that will indicate running away from challenges, gaming the system, and other red flags.

Yep, all of those bad grades along with the retakes are going to be calculated into his lsac gpa so the 3.2 gpa is really going to take a hit. The OP will need to kill the LSAT and perhaps work a couple of years putting some distance between him and his mispent youth. This could be a case where going to grad school may help him more than CC because it will continually demonstrate that OP has turned a corner and has gotten things together.

good luck to you.

[legalassassin]

Mind you by the time I graduate my degree GPA will (most likely) be 3.5. The retakes are going to murder that gpa so yes I am going the CC route to off-set some of the previous grades (with no shame!). I would be foolish to settle for my current circumstances and go after a Master's degree when we all know its a soft-factor and doesn't hold much if any weight. I am not trying to pull a fast one on admissions; I never said that. I am willing to do whatever it takes to raise my gpa. Sure I could take up a second major late in the game and do the extra classes at my university, but I'm not going to go in debt to do that. I have over 6 years of full-time work experience with 4 years spent at the same company and 2 years at another. I don't think I need to work for two years and get a Masters (that I don't even want). Also another point I must make is that I have ZERO educational debt. What financial aid doesn't cover I cover out of my own pocket; I have not taken out one loan. I also looked at my academic plan (I have all of my class schedules sort of pre-planned; but obviously subject to change) and if things go as planned I won't even be spending a full year getting those two semesters in because I will do spring/summer. I am patient and diligent-- I would rather go this route and deal with whatever "consequences" than to settle for what I have an be filled with regret later. If pulling my gpa up and "killing" the lsat doesn't get me where I want to be maybe I will look at other options in the future, but right now I truly feel I have a solid plan.

[hds2388]

OP is a junior, at this juncture taking CC classes, will come across at just what it is, an effort to pad the gpa. Remember that your actual transcripts get sent with your LSAC transcripts, and the admission committee will see the courses that you have taken at CC.

While admissions committees don't usually pay attention to strength of schedule, but dramatic moves like this--going to a community college--are bound to show up, and taking high numbers of units is bound to raise a red flag.

It's a sign of trying to exploit a loophole in the system; admissions committees aren't idiots and will see right through what you're doing. And it's very, very possible that that will indicate running away from challenges, gaming the system, and other red flags.

Yep, all of those bad grades along with the retakes are going to be calculated into his lsac gpa so the 3.2 gpa is really going to take a hit. The OP will need to kill the LSAT and perhaps work a couple of years putting some distance between him and his mispent youth. This could be a case where going to grad school may help him more than CC because it will continually demonstrate that OP has turned a corner and has gotten things together.

good luck to you.

Dark post.

I think you're giving too malicious an edge to adcomms. While it certainly is possible that they will notice an effort too "pad" his GPA, he might also make the case that since he rediscovered his desire for academics, he has wanted to pursue many interests. Either way, OP, I think an epic addendum is a must.

[02082010]

OP is a junior, at this juncture taking CC classes, will come across at just what it is, an effort to pad the gpa. Remember that your actual transcripts get sent with your LSAC transcripts, and the admission committee will see the courses that you have taken at CC.

While admissions committees don't usually pay attention to strength of schedule, but dramatic moves like this--going to a community college--are bound to show up, and taking high numbers of units is bound to raise a red flag.

It's a sign of trying to exploit a loophole in the system; admissions committees aren't idiots and will see right through what you're doing. And it's very, very possible that that will indicate running away from challenges, gaming the system, and other red flags.

Yep, all of those bad grades along with the retakes are going to be calculated into his lsac gpa so the 3.2 gpa is really going to take a hit. The OP will need to kill the LSAT and perhaps work a couple of years putting some distance between him and his mispent youth. This could be a case where going to grad school may help him more than CC because it will continually demonstrate that OP has turned a corner and has gotten things together.

good luck to you.

I understand that you are trying to help OP, but seriously the GPA number is all that really matters. This entire summer for me has been taking stupid intro level classes and studying for the LSAT. Definitely take time to pad your GPA. Combine that with a 90%ile+ LSAT and OP will be fine.

[twert]

OP is a junior, at this juncture taking CC classes, will come across at just what it is, an effort to pad the gpa. Remember that your actual transcripts get sent with your LSAC transcripts, and the admission committee will see the courses that you have taken at CC.

While admissions committees don't usually pay attention to strength of schedule, but dramatic moves like this--going to a community college--are bound to show up, and taking high numbers of units is bound to raise a red flag.

It's a sign of trying to exploit a loophole in the system; admissions committees aren't idiots and will see right through what you're doing. And it's very, very possible that that will indicate running away from challenges, gaming the system, and other red flags.

Yep, all of those bad grades along with the retakes are going to be calculated into his lsac gpa so the 3.2 gpa is really going to take a hit. The OP will need to kill the LSAT and perhaps work a couple of years putting some distance between him and his mispent youth. This could be a case where going to grad school may help him more than CC because it will continually demonstrate that OP has turned a corner and has gotten things together.

good luck to you.

Dark post.

I think you're giving too malicious an edge to adcomms. While it certainly is possible that they will notice an effort too "pad" his GPA, he might also make the case that since he rediscovered his desire for academics, he has wanted to pursue many interests. Either way, OP, I think an epic addendum is a must.

i prefer to think you are right.

[Kohinoor]

OP is a junior, at this juncture taking CC classes, will come across at just what it is, an effort to pad the gpa. Remember that your actual transcripts get sent with your LSAC transcripts, and the admission committee will see the courses that you have taken at CC.

While admissions committees don't usually pay attention to strength of schedule, but dramatic moves like this--going to a community college--are bound to show up, and taking high numbers of units is bound to raise a red flag.

It's a sign of trying to exploit a loophole in the system; admissions committees aren't idiots and will see right through what you're doing. And it's very, very possible that that will indicate running away from challenges, gaming the system, and other red flags.

Yep, all of those bad grades along with the retakes are going to be calculated into his lsac gpa so the 3.2 gpa is really going to take a hit. The OP will need to kill the LSAT and perhaps work a couple of years putting some distance between him and his mispent youth. This could be a case where going to grad school may help him more than CC because it will continually demonstrate that OP has turned a corner and has gotten things together.

good luck to you.

This would have more merit if law schools weren't after your GPA to report it to USNWR. If they notice that you gamed the system with consistent high grades, all that means is that you made a mistake, realized how the game works, and started playing correctly. I'm inclined to think someone gaming the system in that manner would lose in a tie to a conventional student but win versus a student with lower stats; that is to say, gaming the system is in every scenario better than not gaming the system and applying with shitty numbers.

[rondemarino]

OP is a junior, at this juncture taking CC classes, will come across at just what it is, an effort to pad the gpa. Remember that your actual transcripts get sent with your LSAC transcripts, and the admission committee will see the courses that you have taken at CC.

While admissions committees don't usually pay attention to strength of schedule, but dramatic moves like this--going to a community college--are bound to show up, and taking high numbers of units is bound to raise a red flag.

It's a sign of trying to exploit a loophole in the system; admissions committees aren't idiots and will see right through what you're doing. And it's very, very possible that that will indicate running away from challenges, gaming the system, and other red flags.

Yep, all of those bad grades along with the retakes are going to be calculated into his lsac gpa so the 3.2 gpa is really going to take a hit. The OP will need to kill the LSAT and perhaps work a couple of years putting some distance between him and his mispent youth. This could be a case where going to grad school may help him more than CC because it will continually demonstrate that OP has turned a corner and has gotten things together.

good luck to you.

Is this why no one on TLS recommends retaking the LSAT and why adcomms don't ever consider only the highest LSAT score?

OP: Send your transcripts in to LSDAS. Figure out where things stand. Start a thread then. Moving from a 2.2 to a 2.8 might be worth it, while a 3.2 to a 3.3 might not.

[kurla88]

I was under the impression that at most schools, once you hit junior status, you can no longer use CC credit toward your bachelor's. Look into this, OP.

Since you had some significant work history between your poor GPA years and your high GPA years, adcomms will definitely acknowledge that you have changed and hopefully put more weight on the most recent years. It's all about the LSAT now.

[schuywalker]

My GPA now stands at a 3.2 but this includes about six yes SIX retakes (my school calculates the highest grade).

Are the old and the new grades on your transcript?

If yes, what is your gpa once you factor back in the original "bad" grades (this is what your LSAC gpa is going to be based on).

Op is not talking about taking one or 2 classes. He is talking about taking 2 to 3 semesters of course work at the CC level. JMHO, but I think it is going to raise some major flags.

[02082010]

OP, I would defer to those who have actually gone through a cycle and spent a significant amount of time of TLS and paid attention to the cycle of others.

[schuywalker]

OP, I would defer to those who have actually gone through a cycle and spent a significant amount of time of TLS and paid attention to the cycle of others.

You know what happens when you assume....

On the off-chance that you could be referring to me, does that mean that the OP should not pay attention to anything that you would have to say?

Just because some one has a large number of post, does not necessarily mean that they have contributed anything meaningful (some just talk, talk, talk and say nothing).

[02082010]

OP, I would defer to those who have actually gone through a cycle and spent a significant amount of time of TLS and paid attention to the cycle of others.

You know what happens when you assume....

On the off-chance that you could be referring to me, does that mean that the OP should not pay attention to anything that you would have to say?

Just because some one has a large number of post, does not necessarily mean that they have contributed anything meaningful (some just talk, talk, talk and say nothing).

I think it's pretty obvious when someone has gone through a cycle. Large post count not with standing. The "reapplicant" note in my profile should be a hint.

Edit: And while I think your advice is baseless, you have been a poster for nearly a year so I wouldn't be disparaging you.

[schuywalker]

thanks..

I like to watch so I do more lurking than posting


I know how crazy and stressful the application process can be. Good luck to you on your next cycle.

[legalassassin]

***Update*** (said like Robert Stacks from Unsolved Mysteries )

8 months later and I've went from a 3.2 to a 3.76.

[Player21]

I was under the impression that at most schools, once you hit junior status, you can no longer use CC credit toward your bachelor's. Look into this, OP.

Since you had some significant work history between your poor GPA years and your high GPA years, adcomms will definitely acknowledge that you have changed and hopefully put more weight on the most recent years. It's all about the LSAT now.

Even if the CC course isn't used as credit, it will still be calculated in the LSDAS GPA. Any college course you've taken prior to receieving your bachelor's WILL be calculated into your GPA.