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Hi everybody! What would happen if I were to take one extra year of undergrad ( 2 semesters + 1 summer) to take a variety of classes across many different departments. In other words, if I were to take all of the easy classes that my university offers. There are a huge amount of different classes in my university, and many of them are interesting. The purpose of this is for me to take interesting classes, while boosting my GPA greatly.

My current stats:
3.5 LSAC GPA-with two semesters + a summer (of easy classes), it can go up to a-3.7X to 3.79
URM: AA
LSAT: took a free Kaplan test and scored 163 (have not yet begun to practice)

How would law schools view such an action?

Note: I am deadset on going to law school and want to have the best chance at attending a good school.

If you're African-American your GPA won't be any kind of barrier, even at the top schools. Just focus on the LSAT. If you can get straight A's for little or no money then go for it but it's not worth spending a lot or foregoing a decent job opportunity.

Do it. Law schools care less about how you got the GPA and more about the fact that you have it. USNWR is their concern, and the raw number is what matters. Just make sure that you'll be good once LSAC does the GPA adjustment.

Honestly, as an AA, if you can get above a 3.7 with a 170+, you will be set. I agree that you shouldn't waste a ton of money in the process of raising your GPA, but a 3.7+ with a 170+ means you can pick your school.

thanks guys, I really just wasn't sure if law schools would look upon this negatively. Taking the extra year won't be a problem financially, and the good thing is that my school gives out A+s so that will help a ton.

Haha amazing the game we have to play

Actually, what would happen if I take a bunch of 100s level classes during the fall and spring?
I don't think adcoms would be too happy with that but I want to know what you guys think. especially Harvard and Stanford adcoms

It would probably not look good to Stanford and Yale, Harvard probably won't care: with your URM boost you are probably an auto admit with the numbers you are projecting. Harvard can't be as selective with how big their classes are.

Will_McAvoy wrote:It would probably not look good to Stanford and Yale, Harvard probably won't care: with your URM boost you are probably an auto admit with the numbers you are projecting. Harvard can't be as selective with how big their classes are.

I'm more set on Harvard then anything else so I suppose that's good. It's such a tricky situation because I suppose I CAN take another major and take classes for that major, but I'm at more risk of getting as low as B+s. While, taking these 100 lvl classes (I researched and found interesting and relatively easy ones) practically guarantee me as low as A/A-s, and there is more of a chance to get A+s

I really wish I could ask an adcom, it's stressing me out

Oddly enough -- you can! Go to the "former admissions officers taking questions" thread, and see if Karen can provide some advice... She was recently an admissions officer at Harvard.

Will_McAvoy wrote:Oddly enough -- you can! Go to the "former admissions officers taking questions" thread, and see if Karen can provide some advice... She was recently an admissions officer at Harvard.

Great! posted on that thread, hope they reply

Your biggest concern needs to be getting a 170+ on the LSAT. That's what's going to get you into HYS. 163 diagnostic is promising, but you're a good bit of work and luck on the LSAT away from the difference between a 3.6 and 3.7 GPA carrying relative importance. IMO, take the easy classes and start working in the LSAT Prep Forum.