The Magic Number Forum

[Rhesus]

I've heard from a few sources that the magic number (really, I should say 'minimum cutoff') for admission to top law schools is a 3.5 undergraduate GPA. I've just graduated and my final, cumulative GPA is a 3.48. After doing the math, I've found that if I took one more class and received an A, I would be elevated to a 3.50. The class would be an online, language course which I am confident would yield the A.

Holding LSAT score constant, do you believe that the magic cutoff number is in fact a 3.50? Will the course be worthwhile?

[DildaMan]

I've heard from a few sources that the magic number (really, I should say 'minimum cutoff') for admission to top law schools is a 3.5 undergraduate GPA. I've just graduated and my final, cumulative GPA is a 3.48. After doing the math, I've found that if I took one more class and received an A, I would be elevated to a 3.50. The class would be an online, language course which I am confident would yield the A.

Holding LSAT score constant, do you believe that the magic cutoff number is in fact a 3.50? Will the course be worthwhile?

My understanding is that classes taken post-graduation don't count towards your LSAC GPA.

[20141023]

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[Nova]

Lawschoolnumbers.com

[09042014]

I've heard from a few sources that the magic number (really, I should say 'minimum cutoff') for admission to top law schools is a 3.5 undergraduate GPA. I've just graduated and my final, cumulative GPA is a 3.48. After doing the math, I've found that if I took one more class and received an A, I would be elevated to a 3.50. The class would be an online, language course which I am confident would yield the A.

Holding LSAT score constant, do you believe that the magic cutoff number is in fact a 3.50? Will the course be worthwhile?

3.5 isn't a magic number at schools. 3.48 is viewed basically the same as a 3.5.

Almost every law school regularly takes below 3.5 (exceptions being HYS, U of Chi, and Berkeley). But HYS are looking for well above a 3.5.

[Tiago Splitter]

<---- 3.49 no biggie. Under 3.5 may have screwed me out of money at NYU otherwise no biggie.

[kckool7]

Had a 3.2, got $ at T14. Not a URM, don't have a 170. The game has changed with the drop in applications.

[UMich11]

not URM, not military, WASPY midwestern kid with 162, 3.45 in at T10. it happens.

[t-14orbust]

Are you sure your UGPA = your LSDAS GPA? Often times LSDAS GPAs are lower, unless you have A+'s.

[hephaestus]

There isn't really a magic number. A high LSAT can trump a low GPA.

[ms9]

There is no single-factor casualty. In other words, there is far from a "magic number" and many variables come into play. Certainly if you are above their 75th, median, or 25th their (not "all top 5" but what each of these is for their respective schools) will come into play, but can be mitigated by many other factors.

These kinds of myths drive me crazy for some reason