From Medical School to Law School Forum

[gyan4248]

Hey guys, first time post in this forum. My story is this...got into a 7 year medical program straight out of high school. Did my first two years and absolutely hated it. Finally decided that I couldn't stand staying in the field of medicine and want to switch to law. I've been reading these forums a lot the past few days and I know it's 50% LSAT and 35% GPA. However, I failed a couple courses in medical school because of depression (yes, I hated medicine that much) and also the bad timing of my grandmother fighting a losing battle with cancer. I didn't get kicked out or anything, they gave me the option to make up the classes. But if I do apply to law school now, how much does this hurt me?

My undergrad GPA is a 3.7 (might be a bit higher, I don't have the exact number). What LSAT would I need to get to CLS and NYU? I have my reasons for doing poorly in medical school (just hated the field, depression, death in family) but I was wondering how much this hurts me. Thanks in advance.

[booboo]

What your undergrad says your GPA is, and what the LSAC considers your GPA to be are two different things.

The classes that you made up, are the prior grades still listed in any way on the transcript? If so, it will significantly drop your GPA.

If not, then I don't see any issues regarding GPA.

To answer your questions about CLS and NYU, lawschoolpredictor.com.

Enter some numbers in regards to GPA and LSAT and you will see how competitive you as PREDICTED.

3.7 GPA, should warrant a 173+ LSAT for CLS and probably a 171+ LSAT for NYU.

[nyyankees]

it sounds like the classes you were doing badly in were once med school started, leaving your undergraduate GPA relatively untarnished. a 3.7 is pretty strong, id say you would have a decent shot with a 172 at NYU and a 174 at Columbia. Obviously, no promises.

[gyan4248]

Yeah, my undergrad GPA doesn't include my medical school grades. I obtained my undergrad GPA transcript and none of my medical school classes are on there. Sorry, I guess I wasn't too clear in my original post. I did fine in my undergrad portion of the 7 year program. It's when I started up medical school that my grades really suffered.

I was just wondering though...the law schools will inevitably ask about my time in medical school. I don't know too much about the application process and I was wondering if they'll look at my bad grades in medical school as a dealbreaker.

[booboo]

Yeah, my undergrad GPA doesn't include my medical school grades. I obtained my undergrad GPA transcript and none of my medical school classes are on there. Sorry, I guess I wasn't too clear in my original post. I did fine in my undergrad portion of the 7 year program. It's when I started up medical school that my grades really suffered.

I was just wondering though...the law schools will inevitably ask about my time in medical school. I don't know too much about the application process and I was wondering if they'll look at my bad grades in medical school as a dealbreaker.

In this case, you should be fine GPA wise.

You can always include an addendum explaining the situation. As long as it is honest, succinct, and well-written, you should be fine.