Transcript Question Forum

[jrsbaseball5]

Does anyone have any experience with a Z on their transcript? I am writing an honors thesis over two semesters and my professor gave me a Z for the first semester meaning that the course is still in progress and I haven't earned a grade, yet. Looking at the LSAC conversion guide a Z isn't listed so I'm concerned that it will treat it as an F. Anyone have experience with this or know what I should do if it does get factored into my LSAC GPA as such?

[jtabustos]

Does anyone have any experience with a Z on their transcript? I am writing an honors thesis over two semesters and my professor gave me a Z for the first semester meaning that the course is still in progress and I haven't earned a grade, yet. Looking at the LSAC conversion guide a Z isn't listed so I'm concerned that it will treat it as an F. Anyone have experience with this or know what I should do if it does get factored into my LSAC GPA as such?

no exp. but this might legitimately warrant an addendum to ward off possible misunderstandings of an F.

I've had an "I" for incomplete before, but never a Z. Don't think I've ever heard of it.

[jtabustos]

I've also seen a "U" for unsatisfactory before, so I might fear anything other than A,B,C,D,F...and I and P/NP might be viewed negatively.

[jrsbaseball5]

Those are my concerns as well. I'm fairly certain that my school provides an explanation to LSAC, but maybe it would be worthwhile to explain it to the law schools as well to avoid confusion on their part. Then again if LSAC has my GPA as what I expect it to be they probably won't have an issue.

[cinephile]

I have a Z on my undergrad transcript. Our pass/no pass classes have two potential letter grades: Y (pass) and Z (no pass). The meaning is NOT explained on transcripts since the purpose of taking a class pass/no pass is to avoid penalties - even if you don't pass. So it was never factored into my GPA by my undergrad and I highly doubt it was factored in by any admissions committee because that 0 would have brought my GPA down a bit. I also had several Ls (audits). I don't think it hurt me as I got in exactly where my numbers predicted and no one ever asked what the weird letters were.

[ManOfTheMinute]

Z is the last letter in the alphabet, it is unlikely that it will be treated well

[jrsbaseball5]

I have a Z on my undergrad transcript. Our pass/no pass classes have two potential letter grades: Y (pass) and Z (no pass). The meaning is NOT explained on transcripts since the purpose of taking a class pass/no pass is to avoid penalties - even if you don't pass. So it was never factored into my GPA by my undergrad and I highly doubt it was factored in by any admissions committee because that 0 would have brought my GPA down a bit. I also had several Ls (audits). I don't think it hurt me as I got in exactly where my numbers predicted and no one ever asked what the weird letters were.

Hmm that's interesting. So it definitely seems that different schools use the same letters to signify different things on transcripts. I wonder if it would be worth it to include an addendum then just to be safe? My school said that they would send an explanation to LSAC, but I don't really trust them to do that.

Thanks for your input.

[jtabustos]

I have a Z on my undergrad transcript. Our pass/no pass classes have two potential letter grades: Y (pass) and Z (no pass). The meaning is NOT explained on transcripts since the purpose of taking a class pass/no pass is to avoid penalties - even if you don't pass. So it was never factored into my GPA by my undergrad and I highly doubt it was factored in by any admissions committee because that 0 would have brought my GPA down a bit. I also had several Ls (audits). I don't think it hurt me as I got in exactly where my numbers predicted and no one ever asked what the weird letters were.

Hmm that's interesting. So it definitely seems that different schools use the same letters to signify different things on transcripts. I wonder if it would be worth it to include an addendum then just to be safe? My school said that they would send an explanation to LSAC, but I don't really trust them to do that.

Thanks for your input.

I would probably still do it just in case. Also, even if you have a high GPA, they may still think it's a possible "F/Fail" and that your overall grades kept your GPA high.

I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that it's the last letter of the alphabet. lol .....psychologically that just looks bad to me for some reason. Z ... doesn't get much "lower" than that kind of thinking.

But continue to ask around. This is just my 0L opinion.

[Clearly]

Don't overthink it. An addendum goes to the schools you're applying to, and you should have this sorted out on LSACs side long before you apply. They are the ones who put together your academic summary report and calculate your lsdas gpa. Contrary to popular opinion they're not rabid wolves. Odds are they won't apply it to your GPA, but if they initially do, you call them and get in touch with your school and put it a little footwork and it'll get sorted out.