Help Needed Regarding GPA- Please Respond Folks Forum

[freakazo1d]

Repost:
So, I got a 169 on my LSATs (December), but my GPA right now isn't great (3.55 LSDAS). My plan was to take a gap year and take the LSATs again in June, because I was scoring 174s fairly consistently on my practice tests. During my December two fire alarms went off and I think that had a lot to do with my concentration. Anyway my plan was to graduate in May, take the LSATs in June, and apply as soon as applications opened up. I have all my recs lined up and all my essays written.

However, today I realized that I could delay my graduation, take Summer classes and potentially Fall classes to raise my GPA as much as possible. I really could care less about when I graduate, even though I have all my requirements in order. In terms of paying for school, I go to a state school, so it isn't too expensive. I'm hoping state aid and pell grants will cover me, as scholarships no longer apply after four years. I really am looking at top 5 schools (with Harvard then Columbia being my first two choices) and I think my GPA is the real stain on my application. My extracurriculars/work experience is pretty solid and probably the strongest part of my application. I did apply to two schools this year, pretty much as test runs, and I got wait-listed at both (Georgetown-preferred & Upenn). I did apply really late in the cycle, so that may also be a reason for me being wait-listed.

Do you guys think I should just stick with my current GPA (it might go up to a 3.58-3.59 after Spring classes) or should I take Summer and Fall classes? And do schools care that you graduate in October or January or does it not matter? Please give me your reasoning along with your opinion. Thanks in advance!

[WaltGrace83]

With that GPA, you have basically a zero shot at Harvard unless you get a 175 or so. You have a shot at Columbia with a few more points - but not a good one. Also, you'd be paying sticker I bet.

[Kimikho]

Schools don't care when you graduate, but a 3.6/174+ has a shot at Harvard (though plenty didn't receive JS1s, you'd really need a 175+).

However, if there's one thing I've learned from this cycle it's that numbers are sufficient but not necessary. A 3.57/175 and a 3.65/175 got in this year, and a 3.57/173 got waitlisted, but plenty of 3.5X/174+ got rejected outright.

I haven't been following Columbia's cycle closely, but it looks like a lot of 3.5X/173+ got held this year. I think you would pay sticker, also, but I think you would be paying sticker with a 3.6 you might be paying that as well.

If you could jump above medians, I would say get your GPA up. But since you (probably) can't, it might be better for you to graduate, apply when apps open, and retake in June/October. A 3.5/169 isn't going to be rejected from places before the October scores come out. Also, burnout is real, and it may be really real if you have already fulfilled all of your requirements for graduation--you don't want to go into summer thinking "I'll just take some really easy classes and boost my GPA!" and find out that you just can't bring yourself to care anymore and have your GPA drop. So I guess it comes down to yourself. If you can really shoot your GPA up and know you won't get burnt out and have it drop, I would say stay, but if you are not positive about that, then I would graduate and study for October/get a job.

You probably were waitlisted at Gtown due to the late app, but being wait listed at Penn with your numbers is impressive, considering that people who applied in November with your numbers and Why Penn's were waitlisted as well. I don't know how receptive Penn is to reapplicants, but I'm sure it won't hurt.

[hcrimson2014]

Harvard with sub 3.6 will be very very difficult so don't hold your breath. Also, if this cycle is any indication of what's to come next, then the weight placed on soft and work experience by HCC has increased dramatically (softs have always been important to YS so there isn't any noticeable anomaly this year), as such, without above average soft on your resume that shows a consistent commitment, you likely won't get H with that gpa. CC are doable but they have also held/rejected many high scorers this cycle so try hard to polish your ps and ds to shine the best light you can on whatever extracurricular experience you may have.

[victory]

Also, if this cycle is any indication of what's to come next, then the weight placed on soft and work experience by HCC has increased dramatically (softs have always been important to YS so there isn't any noticeable anomaly this year)

For splitters or all applicants? With a 3.5x/~174 Harvard would definitely be a challenge, but that's not really anything new. I haven't seen anything supporting the increased weight on softs re: HCC applicants above both medians.

[Pneumonia]

Also, if this cycle is any indication of what's to come next, then the weight placed on soft and work experience by HCC has increased dramatically (softs have always been important to YS so there isn't any noticeable anomaly this year)

For splitters or all applicants? With a 3.5x/~174 Harvard would definitely be a challenge, but that's not really anything new. I haven't seen anything supporting the increased weight on softs re: HCC applicants above both medians.

at least at H there have been what seems like waaaay more "wtf" denials of people at or above both medians. For the most part these people have been KJD's. Also, there have been at least a few more admits of big splitters than I expected based on previous cycles. Presumably with good work experience.

[freakazo1d]

Hmmm that's a good point. I'm not sure if I could get above medians. I'm thinking I should definitely take summer classes to guarantee above a 3.6 LSDAS GPA. Right now I'm not sure if my Spring grades will give me enough of a boost to get a 3.6 minimum.

If I do take Fall classes it will probably go up to a 3.65/3.64 from a 3.61/3.62...that probably isn't that worth it? And I have pretty decent work experiences and have Diversity if that helps any.

So, so far I should definitely take Summer for sure just to get above the 3.5 median?

[transferror]

If I do take Fall classes it will probably go up to a 3.65/3.64 from a 3.61/3.62...that probably isn't that worth it? And I have pretty decent work experiences and have Diversity if that helps any

As in URM diversity, or first-generation/poor whatever else diversity? If you are a URM and hit 3.6/174, you are in a great position for big money in the T14.

[freakazo1d]

No I wish URM...first-generation/poor whatever else diversity