Take extra course to bump GPA? or focus on LSAT? Forum

[jctexas123]

Do you think it would be worth it to take a course over the summer to bump up my gpa from a 3.728 to a 3.734? In other words, is a 3.73 going to look that much better than a 3.72? I've satisfied the requirements for both of my majors already, so really I would just be taking it for the gpa boost and to possibly score a third recommendation.

Or would my time be better spent getting an LSAT tutor and really digging into some practice tests?

[acadec]

LSAT for sure. A .01 boost in GPA is pretty negligible. If there's even a small chance dedicating your time to the LSAT instead could improve your score a point, that's the way to go.

[coldshoulder]

Depends on the schools you're applying to. If that slight difference puts you above median or 75%, it may be worth it.
However, at that GPA level, without a 170+ score you'll be locked out of the top 6 anyways. You should be able to deal with 1 class and lsat prep pretty easily.
I'm assuming your taking in October?

Edit: Take the class. You have 4 months to study for the test. Unless you're working an intense full time job, why not?

[Corwin]

If you actually will spend the extra time on the LSAT, don't take the course. It's important to be realistic however on what you might use that extra time for.

[yngblkgifted]

Undoubtedly LSAT

[Helicio]

Undoubtedly LSAT

Yup. Focus on the LSAT. I don't know if Law Schools will even really care about such a small bump in GPA.

[Dany]

Do you think it would be worth it to take a course over the summer to bump up my gpa from a 3.728 to a 3.734?

LSAC rounds up to two decimal places so you'd be a 3.73 -> 3.73. Study for the LSAT.

[jctexas123]

Thanks for the responses. I'm also trying to write an honors thesis... So focusing on the LSAT seems appropriate. Especially considering LSAC will round up if I'm two hundredths short of a 3.73 (did not realize that).

[Paraflam]

Didn't want to start a whole new thread for this, but what about taking a class to bump your GPA up from a 3.79 to 3.80? Still .01, but I wonder if there'd be any psychological effect.

[crumpetsandtea]

Didn't want to start a whole new thread for this, but what about taking a class to bump your GPA up from a 3.79 to 3.80? Still .01, but I wonder if there'd be any psychological effect.

Depends on if you're going to be splitting your time between the class and the LSAT. You're in a decent place, it's more worth it to ace the LSAT over getting some unmeasurable, unreliable 'psychological effect' that you're not sure will even happen.

If you've already taken the LSAT and done well, then hey why the hell not?

[j12]

Didn't want to start a whole new thread for this, but what about taking a class to bump your GPA up from a 3.79 to 3.80? Still .01, but I wonder if there'd be any psychological effect.

I really think it would help in this case. Schools set targets for their medians, and 3.8 seems to be a common target for some lower t14 and peer schools. As a 3.79 I sadly, but truly think things would have worked out differenlty for me with that extra .01.

3.78 vs. 3.79, essentially no difference. 3.79 vs 3.8, enough to make a difference sometimes
168 vs 169, minor difference, 169 vs 170 BFD.

Just my guess.