Transcript vs. GPA Forum

[civlibhulk]

My GPA is high but I got to pick most of my classes -- so I took zero math and only soft sciences.

Does my 3.9 mean less than if it were from, say, Columbia?

[rnoodles]

You're fine.

[shump92]

I think there probably is some value given to high GPA marks from schools like Columbia versus equivalent marks from other schools. But that relates to an assumption of the rigor you put yourself through. So taking "zero math" is not necessarily bad, but it would not be the greatest if you avoided higher level classes or had way too much of a focus within one area. I doubt law schools are going to make decisions based on perceived rigor alone, but I'm sure they could easily tell if someone was just seeking easy As.

[Ron Howard]

Not going to Columbia or the like for undergrad is more an absence of a soft (the soft of having gone to a prestigious undergrad) than it is a negative on your application. As for gaming your course schedule to maximize your GPA while minimizing effort, that may be seen as a negative if it abundantly clear, especially at schools like Yale and Sanford which may take disgust in such behavior. More importantly, though, you may feel unworthy, inadequate even, if you do gain admission into a prestigious school having gamed your GPA. It will probably pass, though.

[Mack.Hambleton]

S didn't care about my basket weaving classes

All schools care about is the number