The difference between a 3.0 and a 2.98 GPA? Forum

[jdhopeful11]

Besides the fact that both GPAs suck dick, would these GPAs be viewed upon in the same light? or do adcomms prefer rounded numbers?

[WestOfTheRest]

It really only matters if you cross a threshold such as a floor, 25th, 50th, or 75th.

[rundoxierun]

I will answer this with a ranking of dependable ways to find a valid answer to this question..

1)Ask an adcomm
2)Ask a psychic
3)check LSN
4)Ask one of those dogs who can make barks that sound like words
5)Magic 8 ball
6)TLS

[bk1]

I think it does. Looking at LSN there are some very definite floors at 3 where below that high LSAT gets rejects, high LSAT + URM gets WL's, and there are 0 or close to it acceptances. 3 is below the 25th for most schools so it doesn't matter in that regard.

[legalease9]

It really only matters if you cross a threshold such as a floor, 25th, 50th, or 75th.

Credited. They organize numbers based on their own percentiles, and to a lesser extent the curve of the undergraduate school (as judged by LSAC). It won't be based on an arbitrary 3.

[bk1]

It really only matters if you cross a threshold such as a floor, 25th, 50th, or 75th.

Credited. They organize numbers based on their own percentiles, and to a lesser extent the curve of the undergraduate school (as judged by LSAC). It won't be based on an arbitrary 3.

Looking at LSN makes me think this is not so. Looking at lower T14's and the lower right corner of the graph (2.5-3.2, 170+), it seems like there is a marked difference sub 3 and above 3, though looking at UVa it seems like theirs is more like sub 2.9/2.95 or so.

[legalease9]

It really only matters if you cross a threshold such as a floor, 25th, 50th, or 75th.

Credited. They organize numbers based on their own percentiles, and to a lesser extent the curve of the undergraduate school (as judged by LSAC). It won't be based on an arbitrary 3.

Looking at LSN makes me think this is not so. Looking at lower T14's and the lower right corner of the graph (2.5-3.2, 170+), it seems like there is a marked difference sub 3 and above 3, though looking at UVa it seems like theirs is more like sub 2.9/2.95 or so.

I suppose its possible. However, its complicated by the fact that 2.9-3.1 tends to be the middle of most modern undergraduate curves. So maybe 3 does matter, simply because its where most undergraduates curve. I just can't imagine that they are making the decision on apps based on .02 difference in GPA.

[jdhopeful11]

and to a lesser extent the curve of the undergraduate school (as judged by LSAC)

Where can we find out what the curve of each school is?

[bk1]

I suppose its possible. However, its complicated by the fact that 2.9-3.1 tends to be the middle of most modern undergraduate curves. So maybe 3 does matter, simply because its where most undergraduates curve. I just can't imagine that they are making the decision on apps based on .02 difference in GPA.

True, but AdComms are people with their own set of irrationalities. I could see it if a school publishes the top and bottom LSAT/GPA (like UChi does) considering that even though it may be a .02 difference, a 3 looks way better than a 2.98.

[D. H2Oman]

It really only matters if you cross a threshold such as a floor, 25th, 50th, or 75th.

Credited. They organize numbers based on their own percentiles, and to a lesser extent the curve of the undergraduate school (as judged by LSAC). It won't be based on an arbitrary 3.

This is wrong.

3.0 does matter, get it if you can.

[bk1]

Where can we find out what the curve of each school is?

Your LSAC transcript has your percentile.

[Kurt Cobain]

and to a lesser extent the curve of the undergraduate school (as judged by LSAC)

Where can we find out what the curve of each school is?

check it: http://www.gradeinflation.com/

[Kurt Cobain]

Where can we find out what the curve of each school is?

Your LSAC transcript has your percentile.

that's your percentile in terms of people from your school who have registered with LSAC, not your overall percentile.

[bk1]

that's your percentile in terms of people from your school who have registered with LSAC, not your overall percentile.

Doh, meant to put that at the end of my post, must have slipped my mind. You are correct.

[Jack Smirks]

It really only matters if you cross a threshold such as a floor, 25th, 50th, or 75th.

Credited. They organize numbers based on their own percentiles, and to a lesser extent the curve of the undergraduate school (as judged by LSAC). It won't be based on an arbitrary 3.

I think this would be right if we were talking about any numbers above a 3.0 but it seems like many schools have a rock bottom 3 standard.

[kalvano]

I was told by several admission counselors that they like to see a "3" in front of the GPA, and that it makes a difference even if it's lower than the 25th.

[fragged]

I was told by several admission counselors that they like to see a "3" in front of the GPA, and that it makes a difference even if it's lower than the 25th.

I would have to agree with this. Even though most schools say they don't have minimum cutoffs, if you look at the graphs for example on LSN, you'll notice a lot of "rejects" on those who have below a 3.0, even if they have an LSAT that is significantly higher than the 75th.

[capitalacq]

.02

[awesomepossum]

I think no matter where the 25th percentile is, psychologically 3.0 and even 2.99 is very different.

[sophia.olive]

I was told by several admission counselors that they like to see a "3" in front of the GPA, and that it makes a difference even if it's lower than the 25th.

+1