Advice for "splitters" -which law schools favor LSAT vs. GPA
Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2008 5:25 pm
Many students are "splitters" in that they have a strong LSAT score but a weak GPA or vice-versa. For these students they will increase their success when applying but directing their applications to those law schools which favor the stronger part of their application (ie, those with strong LSAT scores applying to law schools that favor LSAT over GPA). The following article discusses what schools favor the LSAT over GPA and the converse as well.
What Law Schools Favor LSAT over GPA and Vice-Versa
For every law school the two most important components of your application are your undergraduate GPA and your LSAT score. However, the relative importance of these two variables varies in that some law schools focus more heavily upon your LSAT instead of your GPA and vice versa. The key to determining whether a law school prioritizes GPA or LSAT can be determined by viewing a law school statistics in relation to other law schools.
This information can be useful in helping you where to apply for it you have a 175 LSAT score but a 3.2 GPA, you will find more success by applying to law schools that favor LSAT over GPA such as Northwestern. Conversely, some law schools such as U.C. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall look more closely at GPA and an applicant with a 4.0 but a 164 LSAT score would be wise to apply to Boalt.
Determining which schools favor LSAT over GPA and vice versa can be determined by examining the statistics of a law school’s entering class relative to its standing amongst other law schools. For example, Northwestern focuses more heavily upon LSAT then GPA in evaluating candidates. This deduction is formed by finding that LSAT score for its 25th percentile of applicants is 166, or tied for the 7th highest amongst law schools. The LSAT score of its 75th percentile is a 172, or the 4th highest amongst law schools. Yet the GPA statistics are much lower in relation to other law schools, with a GPA of 3.40 (30th highest) at the 25th percentile and a GPA of 3.80 (26th highest) at the 75th percentile. Thus, Northwestern would very likely take a candidate with a high LSAT and be forgiving of a lower GPA. Note that the GPA statistics of Northwestern, 3.40 to 3.80, are less rigorous than the University of Iowa (3.46 and 3.80 respectively) and a complete match with Brigham Young University.
Other top law schools that focus more heavily upon LSAT vs. GPA include:
Chicago (LSAT 25th: 169 – tied for 2nd; LSAT 75th 172 – tied for 4th; GPA 25th 3.51 – tied for 9th; GPA 75th – 3.77 tied for 39th)
Columbia (LSAT 25th: 169 – tied for 2nd; LSAT 75th 174 – 3rd; GPA 25th 3.51 – tied for 15th; GPA 75th – 3.82 tied for 20th)
Penn (LSAT 25th: 167 – tied for 10th; LSAT 75th 171 – tied for 8th; GPA 25th 3.47 – 27th; GPA 75th – 3.84 tied for 11th)
Michigan (LSAT 25th: 166 – tied for 10th; LSAT 75th 170 – tied for 12th; GPA 25th 3.53 – 23rd; GPA 75th – 3.80 tied for 26th)
Without boring you with statistics, the following law schools favor GPA over the LSAT:
Boalt
Duke
UCLA
Vanderbilt
Boston University
U. of Iowa
U. of North Carolina
U. of Washington
U. of Florida
U. of Georgia
Brigham Young University
Thus, if you have a strong LSAT score and not as compelling a GPA then you should apply to the first set of law schools. If instead your GPA is the best aspect of your application, you will fare better by applying to the second list of schools which favor GPA over LSAT score.
I look forward to anyone adding what law schools they feel value the GPA over LSAT or vice-versa.
What Law Schools Favor LSAT over GPA and Vice-Versa
For every law school the two most important components of your application are your undergraduate GPA and your LSAT score. However, the relative importance of these two variables varies in that some law schools focus more heavily upon your LSAT instead of your GPA and vice versa. The key to determining whether a law school prioritizes GPA or LSAT can be determined by viewing a law school statistics in relation to other law schools.
This information can be useful in helping you where to apply for it you have a 175 LSAT score but a 3.2 GPA, you will find more success by applying to law schools that favor LSAT over GPA such as Northwestern. Conversely, some law schools such as U.C. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall look more closely at GPA and an applicant with a 4.0 but a 164 LSAT score would be wise to apply to Boalt.
Determining which schools favor LSAT over GPA and vice versa can be determined by examining the statistics of a law school’s entering class relative to its standing amongst other law schools. For example, Northwestern focuses more heavily upon LSAT then GPA in evaluating candidates. This deduction is formed by finding that LSAT score for its 25th percentile of applicants is 166, or tied for the 7th highest amongst law schools. The LSAT score of its 75th percentile is a 172, or the 4th highest amongst law schools. Yet the GPA statistics are much lower in relation to other law schools, with a GPA of 3.40 (30th highest) at the 25th percentile and a GPA of 3.80 (26th highest) at the 75th percentile. Thus, Northwestern would very likely take a candidate with a high LSAT and be forgiving of a lower GPA. Note that the GPA statistics of Northwestern, 3.40 to 3.80, are less rigorous than the University of Iowa (3.46 and 3.80 respectively) and a complete match with Brigham Young University.
Other top law schools that focus more heavily upon LSAT vs. GPA include:
Chicago (LSAT 25th: 169 – tied for 2nd; LSAT 75th 172 – tied for 4th; GPA 25th 3.51 – tied for 9th; GPA 75th – 3.77 tied for 39th)
Columbia (LSAT 25th: 169 – tied for 2nd; LSAT 75th 174 – 3rd; GPA 25th 3.51 – tied for 15th; GPA 75th – 3.82 tied for 20th)
Penn (LSAT 25th: 167 – tied for 10th; LSAT 75th 171 – tied for 8th; GPA 25th 3.47 – 27th; GPA 75th – 3.84 tied for 11th)
Michigan (LSAT 25th: 166 – tied for 10th; LSAT 75th 170 – tied for 12th; GPA 25th 3.53 – 23rd; GPA 75th – 3.80 tied for 26th)
Without boring you with statistics, the following law schools favor GPA over the LSAT:
Boalt
Duke
UCLA
Vanderbilt
Boston University
U. of Iowa
U. of North Carolina
U. of Washington
U. of Florida
U. of Georgia
Brigham Young University
Thus, if you have a strong LSAT score and not as compelling a GPA then you should apply to the first set of law schools. If instead your GPA is the best aspect of your application, you will fare better by applying to the second list of schools which favor GPA over LSAT score.
I look forward to anyone adding what law schools they feel value the GPA over LSAT or vice-versa.
