Withdrawal Grade on Transcript...HLS? Forum

[azuresky]

Hey guys,

I'm a rising junior at HYPS, and because of dropping a tough class during the fall semester of my sophomore year, I have a W (non-punitive withdrawal) on my transcript.

How much impact is this going to have on admissions to HLS? (not really gunning for YLS, but analysis welcome too)

3.93+ GPA, Social science major

Thanks!

[rejectmaster]

lsac doesn't consider withdrawals when calculating lsdas gpa

so it doesn't matter

[azuresky]

it's probably been asked multiple times already on tls, but...does it mean the nitty gritty details of the transcript doesn't matter as long as your overall GPA is high enough?

i just can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that GPA + LSAT = Acceptance at HLS. seems too simple somehow, when there are so many different components that could potentially be part of the evaluation process...oh well, guess i'm still a bit paranoid after the undergrad admissions process

[Unitas]

it's probably been asked multiple times already on tls, but...does it mean the nitty gritty details of the transcript doesn't matter as long as your overall GPA is high enough?

i just can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that GPA + LSAT = Acceptance at HLS. seems too simple somehow, when there are so many different components that could potentially be part of the evaluation process...oh well, guess i'm still a bit paranoid after the undergrad admissions process

From TLS wisdom: They care, just not much. They look for red flags such as: a series of withdraws every semester (1 or 2 classes a semester which indicates students shopping around for grades), low level classes (lots of arts), weak major. Even these things can obviously be overcome. One withdraw is not even a red flag.

[YCrevolution]

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[YCrevolution]

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[nycbiglawordie]

Hey guys,

I'm a rising junior at HYPS, and because of dropping a tough class during the fall semester of my sophomore year, I have a W (non-punitive withdrawal) on my transcript.

How much impact is this going to have on admissions to HLS? (not really gunning for YLS, but analysis welcome too)

3.93+ GPA, Social science major

Thanks!

one non-punitive W is not going to matter

[azuresky]

Hey...major kudos to y'all for the fast replies!

so i guess the big picture is....?:

1) high gpa (3.95 or thereabouts)
2) high lsat (175+)
3) solid recs from 2 profs
4) interesting personal statement
5) good phone interview
6) decent (ie. 2-3 standard) extracurriculars

if we have any HLS admits/current students/recent alums browsing here, do you want to just briefly comment on that? (eg. did you think these 6 things were sufficient for admission, or did you personally have something extra when you wre admitted?)

Again, i'm very grateful to everyone who posted!

[YCrevolution]

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[blurbz]

From TLS wisdom: They care, just not much. They look for red flags such as: a series of withdraws every semester (1 or 2 classes a semester which indicates students shopping around for grades), low level classes (lots of arts), weak major. Even these things can obviously be overcome. One withdraw is not even a red flag.

+1...except for the comment about "arts" classes. The humanities do a tremendous job teaching people how to think....As long as you take the challenging classes (not all 100 level electives) you'll be fine with these classes.

[nycbiglawordie]

From TLS wisdom: They care, just not much. They look for red flags such as: a series of withdraws every semester (1 or 2 classes a semester which indicates students shopping around for grades), low level classes (lots of arts), weak major. Even these things can obviously be overcome. One withdraw is not even a red flag.

+1...except for the comment about "arts" classes. The humanities do a tremendous job teaching people how to think....As long as you take the challenging classes (not all 100 level electives) you'll be fine with these classes.

lol

[YCrevolution]

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[blurbz]

Let's not turn this thread into a debate about the value of arts classes.

Agreed.

OP: As I, and others, have said: One withdrawal will not hurt you in the least. From your posts, it looks like you've not yet taken the LSAT. Dominate the test and enjoy HYS.