Do admissions focus a lot on specific classes? Forum

[tlsfa8]

Hey all,

Does anyone know if law school admissions places a huge emphasis on the classes you've taken, and their grades? (versus just looking at the cumulative GPA). I have a 3.3 LSAC GPA, and a 178 on the LSAT so I'm a HUGE splitter.

However, I worry that my specific class grades will kill my other strengths. My GPA is so low because of one year splattered with C's (3 of them, in fact). My GPA has always been a consistent 3.4 - 3.6, and i went right back to my normal gpa my last year there, but that semester I had some true personal issues that I do intend to express on an addendum.

My main concern is my Business Law II class - I received a C-. How does one explain to the admissions board? It seems almost ridiculous, trying to get into law school but getting a C- in one of two law classes I actually took in my undergraduate years. (The other was a B.) Would it help to re-take Business Law II, even though I already graduated?

I'm pretty discouraged over that one grade, so any help would be greatly appreciated. In addition, I wanted to apply to some of the top 14 with my LSAT score, but I don't want to waste my time and money if that Business Law class grade will ruin it.

Thank you everyone! This forum has been really helpful for me thus far - hoping for some similar results with this post!

[holydonkey]

This doesn't matter. You'll get in multiple T14 with a 3.3-178. However, HYSCCN seem unlikely.

[tlsfa8]

Thanks! I figured HYSCCN would be a long shot, which is unfortunate because I'm from around NYC and I really wanted to get back up there for school.

If I ED to Columbia/NYU.. will that increase my chances? My soft factors only include two years of work experience and that I'm a CPA (not considering all the extracurriculars I did during undergrad which at this point, not sure if it's even applicable). Am I going to get anything for that?

[czelede]

I think you actually have a pretty decent shot at NYU.

[holydonkey]

Thanks! I figured HYSCCN would be a long shot, which is unfortunate because I'm from around NYC and I really wanted to get back up there for school.

If I ED to Columbia/NYU.. will that increase my chances? My soft factors only include two years of work experience and that I'm a CPA (not considering all the extracurriculars I did during undergrad which at this point, not sure if it's even applicable). Am I going to get anything for that?

Not to be a downer, but both Columbia and NYU will probably turn out as waitlists. That being said, definitely apply ED there if it's where you want to be. It's not impossible to get in there, just very unlikely.

Northwestern, UVA, Georgetown and Cornell are probably your best shots. The GPA makes it tough at Duke, Michigan, and Berk. Penn might bite. But seriously, ED to NYU or Columbia, it's worth it. If you don't make it, you've got some great back up options.

[tlsfa8]

Thanks for the advice!

I know it differs from school to school, but, once you ED somewhere, do you have to wait to hear back before applying RD to others?

[capitalacq]

Thanks for the advice!

I know it differs from school to school, but, once you ED somewhere, do you have to wait to hear back before applying RD to others?

no you could apply RD at the same time... but if they accept you ED, you're supposed to withdraw from all other schools

[maine08080]

Law school adcoms read thousands of applications, I can't see why they would focus on specific classes at all. They might take a brief look at the level of the classes, i.e. 100, 200 level, and say "oh, quite a few 100 level classes for GPA fluff, but not a big deal." They won't give you sympathy for difficult classes though.