How indicative was the LSAT for law school performance? Forum

[cgs230]

Just curious - was anyone in the lower 25% (or lower) and performed highly during their 1L? Is it common for people with low LSATs to do well, or does the LSAT generally indicate where you'll fall within your class?

[TommyK]

Just curious - was anyone in the lower 25% (or lower) and performed highly during their 1L? Is it common for people with low LSATs to do well, or does the LSAT generally indicate where you'll fall within your class?

From what I have heard from adcomms, the LSAT is the highest correlated variable for academic success in law school. What you're asking for is anecdotal evidence counter to this, which you will find. You absolutely will find some folks who performed heroically on the LSAT, but flamed out in law school. You also will find the opposite. That being said, the correlation is much stronger with the LSAT and academic performance, than with uGPA and LS performance.

[StrictlyLiable]

A lot of schools that have GPA requirements will claim that the LSAT is an indicator of those applicants that will keep their scholarship. I have had law students tell me personal anecdotes of very low scoring students leading the class, and actually those with high scores not doing so well.

[findlayswimmer28]

My husband had a really really low LSAT, well below bottom 25%, and ended up in the top 1/3...LSAT is not always an indicator.

[094320]

..

[cgs230]

I feel like the undergraduate GPA -- the other "half" of a student's barometer -- is so obviously NOT an idicator of future success I don't even think about it! Its kind of a joke. Nothing I did in college is remotely relevant to the student I am/will be now. I had a good GPA, but I am putting ZERO weight on being some sort of indicator as to how well I'll do in law school. LSAT, who knows?

[napolnic]

I'll let you know when I retake law school.

[sperry]

I'm at a T14, had LSAT and GPA both over the 75th percentile for my school, and finished slightly below median.