College Classes from High School Hurt my GPA Forum

kristaann_vt · Post by **kristaann_vt** » Sun Aug 02, 2015 10:04 pm

Hi everyone,

I will be applying to law school this Fall, and am writing to ask for advice on how, or if, I should address my GPA.

During high school, I completed over 50 college credits in nursing and science classes. I did not do the best in these classes, earning B's, a C+ and one D. After I graduated high school and went to college, I realized I did not want to be a nurse, changed my major, and did significantly better. My current cumulative GPA (including the classes I took in high school) is 3.54. If it had not been for these classes, my GPA would be a 3.7.

I have a decent LSAT score from February and will be retaking in October. I will have solid letters of recommendation, I began a successful anti-human trafficking organization at my school and work as a part time advocate under an attorney at my local Rape Crisis Center and Child Advocacy Center. I'm wanting to become a prosecuting attorney that works with special victims, so this work is relevant to my career goals. I'm not a URM.

All of this said, is it worth addressing my poorer performance, especially considering these classes were completed while still in high school? Will these grades, namely the lower GPA, affect my applications? If so, how should I address this on my applications, if at all?

Thank you in advance for your time!
Krista

benwyatt · Post by **benwyatt** » Mon Aug 03, 2015 12:17 am

Post removed.

Mack.Hambleton · Post by **Mack.Hambleton** » Mon Aug 03, 2015 12:28 am

yeah was expecting it to be much lower based on that description.

don't address this on your applications, this happens to a lot of people (although not to the extent of 50 credits usually). you will be fine with the right LSAT. The LSAT is weighted more than GPA anyway, so make sure you put in the effort.

basedvulpes · Post by **basedvulpes** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:04 am

Post removed.

benwyatt · Post by **benwyatt** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:07 am

Post removed.

cdotson2 · Post by **cdotson2** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:15 am

benwyatt wrote:
basedvulpes wrote:
Mack.Hambleton wrote: The LSAT is weighted more than GPA anyway
What is this based on?
I think it's based on the fact that in any application cycle there are going to be more applicants with 3.8-4.0 GPAs than 172-180 LSAT scores so it's much easier for a school to balance their incoming GPA than their incoming LSAT medians.

also GPA is a lot murkier than LSAT. everyone takes the same LSAT not everyone takes the same courses that result in their GPA.

Big Dog · Post by **Big Dog** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:24 am

All of this said, is it worth addressing my poorer performance

No. (Nearly everyone has higher grades in the last couple of years of college than the first two, so your difference is not that large.)

Will these grades, namely the lower GPA, affect my applications? If

For those law schools that want a certain/high GPA's, yes, it will affect you. But the only thing you can do to mitigate is to rock the LSAT.

Aquila · Post by **Aquila** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 10:56 am

basedvulpes wrote:
Mack.Hambleton wrote: The LSAT is weighted more than GPA anyway
What is this based on?

The fact that a 170+ and a sub3.0 can get into top 14 with scholarship potentially but a 4.0, sub 160 has not a shot in the dark unless they are URM

Rigo · Post by **Rigo** » Tue Aug 04, 2015 11:15 am

basedvulpes wrote:
Mack.Hambleton wrote: The LSAT is weighted more than GPA anyway
What is this based on?

There is always an oversupply of reverse splitters. High LSAT's are much more rare.

Abraham Lincoln Uni. · Post by **Abraham Lincoln Uni.** » Tue Aug 11, 2015 7:54 pm

If you feel strongly about explaining your performance in your science courses, you may include a brief explanation in your personal statement, but tie it into your interest in law. You may discuss how your interests changed and what you have done to pursue your goal in this field. Remember though that this may bring more attention to the issue than it would normally get, which may not be what you want since you perform strongly at the end anyway, but if you feel like it presents a better picture of your potential for law school and you present it well, it can help.

You may even contact law school's admissions departments that you are considering applying to and asking their opinion in regards to how you should proceed and whether it is even worth mentioning.

Also keep in mind law school's look at the totality of an applicant's application, which include their GPA, LSAT scores, personal statement, supplemental application, and letters of recommendation.