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So what is the situation for a student with a 178+ LSAT, interesting work experience and great recs from a top-tier UG less influenced by grade inflation (like Princeton, MIT, UChicago, Cal Tech)? How different is, say, a 3.7 versus a 3.4x with a hard major from one of the above schools (in particular, for YHS + CCN), given that both would be below the 25th percentile mark and wouldn't affect US News (assuming that a primary motive for GPA emphasis in admissions is to maintain rankings)? Thoughts?

Just look at mylsn. Pretty much all schools will prefer the 3.7 (although still too low for YS). Schools often have GPA floors as well which is why a 3.4/177 has a good shot at Columbia but a 2.5/177 does not, despite the fact that they're both below the 25th.

Also schools aren't going to care about whether your school allegedly doesn't grade deflate as much as some other school. Everyone has some excuse for their GPA.

It's not going to save you and make you any more attractive than someone with a 3.7.

Everyone has some excuse for their GPA.

True haha... I mean, honestly, this post relates to the particular excuse of "rigorous undergrad"

Schools often have GPA floors as well which is why a 3.4/177 has a good shot at Columbia but a 2.5/177 does not, despite the fact that they're both below the 25th.

Would you want to venture any estimates for GPA floors at YHS + CCN?

More broadly, I'm trying to think of some general qualities that characterize those admitted below the GPA 25th percentile... From lsn data, obviously superior LSAT performance is key - elite undergrad can't hurt. URM obviously helps a lot. Military, TFA/Peace Corps, non-trads, etc.