One bad grade in major - switch? Forum

[mcs268]

Hello, I'm a sophomore at Cornell. This past semester I received a bad grade in my intended major (although I'm trying to dispute it right now due to some discrepancies- doubt it will change). In what should've been an easy class got complicated due to personal issues and I walked away with a B- in what I believe to be an A- class in concordance with previous grade reports. Also, I'm a History major, which is why I consider this a bad grade since it's much less difficult than a B- in lets say Chemistry. I'm intent on law school, and I'm afraid with keeping my major, this B- will kill my chances.

Luckily, for my electives I found an interest in anthropology, and I'm thinking of switching but I'm not sure. I will have amassed 2 classes by the end of next semester currently (this schedule assumes i'm still history though, so I'd add another anthro class to catch up). I only need 8 classes for the major so if I take 2 anthro courses one semester and 1 for the rest in my junior and senior years I should be okay.

I understand this may sound ridiculous because its one grade, but T14 law is extremely competitive as you all know, and although I will probably raise my whole GPA since personal issues have been worked out, I'm afraid it will kill my chances especially next to an A- median grade on the transcript. My major GPA will, however, likely be low still due to that grade. If I switch, I believe my major GPA will end up higher (I find anthropology more interesting/easier than history anyway). So, do you think I should switch or not? Ideally I was planning on double majoring but definitely not with that grade, I would just stick to anthropology. Thank you!

[4for44]

Hello, I'm a sophomore at Cornell. This past semester I received a bad grade in my intended major (although I'm trying to dispute it right now due to some discrepancies- doubt it will change). In what should've been an easy class got complicated due to personal issues and I walked away with a B- in what I believe to be an A- class in concordance with previous grade reports. Also, I'm a History major, which is why I consider this a bad grade since it's much less difficult than a B- in lets say Chemistry. I'm intent on law school, and I'm afraid with keeping my major, this B- will kill my chances.

Luckily, for my electives I found an interest in anthropology, and I'm thinking of switching but I'm not sure. I will have amassed 2 classes by the end of next semester currently (this schedule assumes i'm still history though, so I'd add another anthro class to catch up). I only need 8 classes for the major so if I take 2 anthro courses one semester and 1 for the rest in my junior and senior years I should be okay.

I understand this may sound ridiculous because its one grade, but T14 law is extremely competitive as you all know, and although I will probably raise my whole GPA since personal issues have been worked out, I'm afraid it will kill my chances especially next to an A- median grade on the transcript. My major GPA will, however, likely be low still due to that grade. If I switch, I believe my major GPA will end up higher (I find anthropology more interesting/easier than history anyway). So, do you think I should switch or not? Ideally I was planning on double majoring but definitely not with that grade, I would just stick to anthropology. Thank you!

Major GPA= Irrelevant... Do whichever one you enjoy more and are therefore more likely to get best OVERALL GPA.

Oh and you must be freezing in Ithaca right now...

[dddhhh]

Agreed, overall gpa matters most. Pick a major that you enjoy.

[user08132021]

One class isn't going to kill you. Stick with the major you enjoy.

[09042014]

Law schools don't care about individual grades and they don't even look at major GPA.

[Veyron]

Do whatever it takes to get a high overall GPA.

[T6Hopeful]

Do whatever it takes to get a high overall GPA.

This within reason, but MORE importantly:

One class isn't going to kill you. Stick with the major you enjoy.

Sure, if you're dead set on going to law school after undergrad, it's definitely important to game your overall GPA. But for all you know, you could decide in a couple years that law really isn't right for you, and you'll wish you majored in something you like. If this coincidentally brings you a high GPA, so be it, but if you're honestly interested in history, don't drop it just because this one B- could be indicative of your other grades.

[northwood]

re take the class

stick with the major you like. and keep your grades up. Enjoy Cornell!

[062914123]

.

[dextermorgan]

No one cares about your major GPA. Just don't get anymore "bad" grades and you will be fine.

[MrAnon]

What happens if personal issues arise again? Personal issues tend to strike everyone, throughout life. I'd try to deal with it or just adjust expectations.

[Lokomani]

Dear God, don't base your entire 4 year college degree on what is best for law school. If you really are concerned about law, get a major in Philosophy and learn some relevant concepts. Your GPA quandary is cute, but the truth is they (adcomms) want interesting people as much, if not moreso, than GPA padding for rankings. Thus, getting heavily involved in something outstanding would behoove you more than changing majors based on one grade.

[nStiver]

Hello, I'm a sophomore at Cornell. This past semester I received a bad grade in my intended major (although I'm trying to dispute it right now due to some discrepancies- doubt it will change). In what should've been an easy class got complicated due to personal issues and I walked away with a B- in what I believe to be an A- class in concordance with previous grade reports. Also, I'm a History major, which is why I consider this a bad grade since it's much less difficult than a B- in lets say Chemistry. I'm intent on law school, and I'm afraid with keeping my major, this B- will kill my chances.

Luckily, for my electives I found an interest in anthropology, and I'm thinking of switching but I'm not sure. I will have amassed 2 classes by the end of next semester currently (this schedule assumes i'm still history though, so I'd add another anthro class to catch up). I only need 8 classes for the major so if I take 2 anthro courses one semester and 1 for the rest in my junior and senior years I should be okay.

I understand this may sound ridiculous because its one grade, but T14 law is extremely competitive as you all know, and although I will probably raise my whole GPA since personal issues have been worked out, I'm afraid it will kill my chances especially next to an A- median grade on the transcript. My major GPA will, however, likely be low still due to that grade. If I switch, I believe my major GPA will end up higher (I find anthropology more interesting/easier than history anyway). So, do you think I should switch or not? Ideally I was planning on double majoring but definitely not with that grade, I would just stick to anthropology. Thank you!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, you, sir, are ok. Man, to be young and idealistic again.

Trust me dude, one b- will not hurt you. My wife has a 4.0 cum and she got a few c- and d's way back when. I would focus on studying for the LSAT now, while you still have a year or more to go. That would be time far better spent than would be by going through all the trouble of changing majors. If one B- is the worst of your worries, you will be fine.

You should learn to relax, there will be bigger setbacks in your quest for the T14 than one B-, and you should not react to one minor setback by making a sweeping change. That would be overkill.

[thegor1987]

Switch to Chemistry and get all B minuses

[nStiver]

Switch to Chemistry and get all B minuses

A B- in chemistry is a solid grade. Some of those classes have averages in the 40s or 50s.

[thegor1987]

Switch to Chemistry and get all B minuses

A B- in chemistry is a solid grade. Some of those classes have averages in the 40s or 50s.

Hence the ungenuine sarcasm of my comment. Not too bad for chemistry but horrible for law school applications.

[nStiver]

Switch to Chemistry and get all B minuses

A B- in chemistry is a solid grade. Some of those classes have averages in the 40s or 50s.

Hence the ungenuine sarcasm of my comment. Not too bad for chemistry but horrible for law school applications.

Yes, I see that now.

[09042014]

I bet that B- put him the bottom 1/4 of that class.

[nStiver]

I just don't get it. I am a history major because I love the subject. I would not dream of switching just because of a B-.

[seespotrun]

Yea, I'd switch to orgo chem. Definitely switch.

[Veyron]

Incidentally, Cornell has got to be one of the worst places in the country to go for UG if you want to go to law school.

[09042014]

Incidentally, Cornell has got to be one of the worst places in the country to go for UG if you want to go to law school.

Suicide risk?

[Veyron]

Incidentally, Cornell has got to be one of the worst places in the country to go for UG if you want to go to law school.

Suicide risk?

Grade deflation without HYPSM level prestige to compensate.

Also suicide risk.

[rayiner]

Points to remember about grading for purposes of admission to law school:

1) They do not look at major GPA, only cumulative GPA.
2) They do not look at your grades relative to the median.
3) They do not do anything special to factor out retaken classes, classes outside major, etc.
4) Every bad grade counts equally, forever.

So no point switching your major - that B- is on your record dragging down your overall LSAC GPA and nothing you do can change that.

[09042014]

Incidentally, Cornell has got to be one of the worst places in the country to go for UG if you want to go to law school.

Suicide risk?

Grade deflation without HYPSM level prestige to compensate.

Also suicide risk.

Grade deflation? This link says average GPA of 3.36. If you factor out their engineering school (which probably has a lot lower of a GPA median) it's probably higher.