GPA vs study abroad Forum

[shane0515]

Hey guys,

I'm a AA male at Southern Cal and right now I have a 3.65 gpa. I was wondering if you thought it would be better or look better to law schools if I did study abroad and applied to law schools with my 3.65 gpa or if I should stay in school that semester and get my gpa up to a 3.7 and then apply?

I really need scholarship money as well and I was wondering what you think the best decision to take would be? Does studying abroad look better or does a 3.7 gpa look better?

Thanks

[ConMan345]

Get the higher GPA.

[HyeMart]

im not inclined to believe .05 affects ones chances. but i don't think that studying abroad is worth much either.

[jml8756]

I think it depends on the study abroad program. If you "study abroad" in Australia or England, slack off and get a 2.0, law schools probably won't be too impressed. However, if you do a program that involves complete cultural and linguistic immersion, I think that's a pretty good experience to have even if you don't get as good of grades as you're used to. Plus, if it's a semester or less and your home institution doesn't count the credits in your GPA, I don't believe LSAC does either.

[Holly Golightly]

If study abroad is something you really want to do, do it. A .05 bump in your GPA definitely won't be worth it if you regret missing out on that opportunity.

[bloodonthetracks]

go abroad

[champ33]

Going abroad is worth more than a trade-off in GPA... i.e. something you will remember for the rest of your life.

[quickquestionthanks]

Go abroad. Those who don't are missing out! Probably the best experience of my life.

My institution counted the abroad grades and I believe it helped my GPA.

[ppa840]

Go abroad. I had the best contiguous time of my life when I went abroad. Not to mention, the classes I took abroad did help my GPA out.