GPA Questions-putting lipstick on a pig. Forum

TexasRebel · Post by **TexasRebel** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:51 pm

I Just calculated my LSAC GPA at a 3.4 overall, but there are a few variables I wanted to ask about, which i'm hoping may increase my chances slightly. For the sake of focus I won't post my LSAT score or list softs, because I'd like to just keep this thread solely about GPA

1.) I have an extremely high upward trend in GPA, I failed 3 classes, and made 2 C's during the first semester of my freshman year(There's no good explanation for it other than just extreme immaturity/lack of discipline), and if you were to remove that one semester by just plugging in even a 3.0 for that semester, I would have a 3.72 overall.
2.) I'm a double Major in Managerial Finance/Banking and Finance. I was wondering if double majoring in a less common subject than what most Law School admissions boards consistently see might work in my favor, or do most schools not really give a damn at all? I do want to work in Corporate Finance Law, so my degree is actually relevant to my long term interests.

I'm basically trying to polish a pile of garbage at this point, but I have heard some of these factors may play a minor role in improving my chances despite the end number not being good. I just wanted some honest input regarding the level to which these factors may or may not help me, and how best to work with what I have throughout the application process. Thanks for reading guys

shump92 · Post by **shump92** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:58 pm

1) Adcomms will notice your upward trend. The only thing you could possibly do would be to have an addendum addressing your bad start to UG, but your post made it seem like your case does not warrant a detailed explanation.

2) I really don't think law schools are that interested in what people studied. I think rigor is most likely valued for your course load, but I don't know how much of an impact that would have on actual admissions decisions. Likely that an EE major with a 3.7 would be favored over a Sports management major with a 3.7, but that's probably about it.

Depending on your targets, your GPA is either average or a bit sub-par. The other parts of your application are going to determine whether that 3.4 can be overcome or not. Not really anything you can do about the GPA at this point.

Clemenceau · Post by **Clemenceau** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 1:59 pm

The trend will reflect positively on your application as a whole, I guess. But it won't make you outperform your numbers.

You can expect your 3.4 to be treated as a 3.4.

Mack.Hambleton · Post by **Mack.Hambleton** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 2:09 pm

Not going to matter, don't write an addendum

Generally · Post by **Generally** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 2:31 pm

Post removed.

cdotson2 · Post by **cdotson2** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 3:45 pm

Seamus887 wrote:Take it for what its worth, but I have personally talked to a law school adviser who previously worked in admissions, they said instances like that definitely warrant an addendum. If you just had a semester of Bs and Cs than maybe not, but something that drastic yes. I have a similar situation, and the advice on TLS can be contradictory. I for one am choosing to trust the person who actually made admission decisions.

I have an adviser who went to LS and does UG admissions tell me not to write an addenda for a 2.9 semester during which I had kidney stones and was out of class for a week in November.

Generally · Post by **Generally** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 3:46 pm

Post removed.

cdotson2 · Post by **cdotson2** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 3:49 pm

Seamus887 wrote:
cdotson2 wrote:
Seamus887 wrote:Take it for what its worth, but I have personally talked to a law school adviser who previously worked in admissions, they said instances like that definitely warrant an addendum. If you just had a semester of Bs and Cs than maybe not, but something that drastic yes. I have a similar situation, and the advice on TLS can be contradictory. I for one am choosing to trust the person who actually made admission decisions.
I have an adviser who went to LS and does UG admissions tell me not to write an addenda for a 2.9 semester during which I had kidney stones and was out of class for a week in November.
2.9, which is basically average, is a little different than failing 3 classes imo

that is true, but every other semester I have been basically a full point above that so I felt I should write one but he said it wouldn't really matter they would see the upward trend regardless, but it might be good to ask spivey and see what he thinks.

Generally · Post by **Generally** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 3:54 pm

Post removed.

shump92 · Post by **shump92** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 4:02 pm

Seamus887 wrote:
cdotson2 wrote:
Seamus887 wrote:
cdotson2 wrote:
Seamus887 wrote:Take it for what its worth, but I have personally talked to a law school adviser who previously worked in admissions, they said instances like that definitely warrant an addendum. If you just had a semester of Bs and Cs than maybe not, but something that drastic yes. I have a similar situation, and the advice on TLS can be contradictory. I for one am choosing to trust the person who actually made admission decisions.
I have an adviser who went to LS and does UG admissions tell me not to write an addenda for a 2.9 semester during which I had kidney stones and was out of class for a week in November.
2.9, which is basically average, is a little different than failing 3 classes imo
that is true, but every other semester I have been basically a full point above that so I felt I should write one but he said it wouldn't really matter they would see the upward trend regardless, but it might be good to ask spivey and see what he thinks.
I think it writing an addendum for a B average semester is not a good idea no matter what. It just comes across as whiny. Anything below 2.0 if the rest of your record is fantastic warrants a addendum. Otherwise admissions will just be wondering what the hell happened. It is best to address that.

OP, this really depends on what you could say in an addendum. If your original post is any indication, this suggestion is not one you should follow. You do not get to control how adcomms are reading what you are writing, you only control what they are reading. If your reasons are only immaturity/not being ready for college that is NOT worthy of an addendum.

That being said, you might want to have a planned response on your bad term prepared for any admissions interviews. It is fairly likely that question would come up and you should have some well worded explanation of how you were able to successfully adjust to UG after that term. Talking to a consultant is probably a good idea if you are unsure about an addendum, but typically people write GPA addenda when they should not be.

Generally · Post by **Generally** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 4:12 pm

Post removed.

abl · Post by **abl** » Tue Jul 28, 2015 4:42 pm

Lots of law school advisers are bad. I went to a very good undergrad (that sends tons of students to top law schools) and was told by my undergrad law school adviser that I should be reasonably expecting to get into a law school in the 20s. I ended up at HYS.

Incidentally, I can also say that a strong upward GPA trend can make a difference. I know several folks who outperformed their numbers, and this likely was a factor. To outperform your numbers, you need to tell some compelling and unique story through your application. If one facet of that story helps to explain why your numbers are better than they look, all the better.