Do you get ANY "cool points" for having a graduate degree? Forum

[imaswad]

...or will I be considered like the rest of the newbies?

[northwood]

hopefully you'll get some, but it wont be enough if your test scores or gpa is below 25th percentile. If it came down to you and someone without a grad degree, and all else being equal, then yes perhaps it may seal the deal for you, but other than that, i would say not a lot of points

[vespertiliovir]

Yes, 3.

[UFMatt]

I didn't get any with my apps, but fortunately I already have plenty

[imaswad]

@ Northwood- Are you referencing Undergrad or Grad G.P.A (or a combined average). Its my understanding that they only look at undergrad G.P.A....... but I am new to this process.....

[northwood]

law schools do not look at graduate gpas. they only look at undergraduate work, unfortunately ( I had a 3.96 graduate gpa- ) IF your undergraduate gpa is close to median ( off by a hundredth or so) then it may give you that boost. If you are off by a few tenths, then it wont. The two biggest factors are your undergraduate gpa and lsat score.

I was just saying that if your undergraduate gpa and lsat is the same as someone elses, then you might get a nod over them for having a graduate degree. SOme schools may put more weight into this than others, but it probably comes down to the persons who is looking over your applications opinion and preconceived notions about graduate level work. I would say apply to wherever you have a decent chance. THe graduate degree can only help you, not hurt you

[roundabout]

Agreed with Northwood, but just to add that some schools seem to value a grad degree more than others- look for schools that say "X% of our entering class hold graduate degrees". NYU does, for example. It's still not a huge deal maker I don't think, but as others have said, if they were seriously considering you and you have that extra bump, could be good. It might also depend on what grad degree it is and how this ties into the "whole picture". If you have an education degree and you're interested in some law practice to do with education, and you've been teaching for several years, then it all forms part of a "coherent" applicant that might be more attractive to adcomms.

[Patriot1208]

Of course, #of degrees=coolness

[Hopefullawstudent]

I have one. So yes. Yes it does.

[Kobe_Teeth]

Yes, you do. But you also get deducted for using phrases like "cool points." Hope you break even...

[tikiman6]

Well, if you are a little above 25% gpa, and above 75% lsat, do you think an extra's master degree would come in handy?

[09042014]

Grad students are the worst. -10 cool points.

[TrackTony88]

Well, if you are a little above 25% gpa, and above 75% lsat, do you think an extra's master degree would come in handy?

Tikiman, I think we are avatar twins.

[7ED]

The impression im getting with Grad degrees is that it gets lumped into that vast and nebulous 3rd category beyond ur lsat/GPA known to us as "softs."

So, having wonderful LORs, a superb personal statement, a brilliant resume where u've been 1 or 2 years out of school, and a grad degree, would definitely help.

As far as I know, the T6 all prefer students who have "1-2 years of experience out of school," and like the previous poster said, a lot of them will talk about how certain percentages of their students have grad degrees.

If u look at the average ages of students at these schools, its about 25 or so depending on the school.

[Rik Smits]

Yes, 3.

No, it's 7.