Substance Abuse and GPA Forum

[Rollontheground]

Hello Everyone,

Sorry if this is going in the wrong section. I'm new here.

I'm currently enrolled in an MA program in Religion at an ivy-affiliated seminary, after graduating from a no-name school with a 4.0 GPA and some pretty serious awards — an Academic Excellence Award that was only awarded to three people, a Philosophy excellence award and some other things. I spent two years at this school and took 15-19 credits per semester, have outstanding LORs, was engaged in clubs (president of the Philosophy Club) etc.

I had thought my GPA was more than adequate for a t14, until I found out that LSAC considers your other institutions into its GPA calculations. Before my alma, I was at another school (again, no-name) and had a 3.1 or 3.2. Taking this into account, my LSAC GPA is now a 3.54. Perhaps lower if the Ws are taken into account — maybe 3.3.

I also have a criminal record, three misdemeanors — marijuana possession, cocaine possession and paraphanelia. I've been clean for four years though (today, actually, is my four year anni). I've more or less been a moral exemplar since then.

How can I expect this to be taken by admissions officers? And also, is anyone privy to a list of schools that are favorably inclined towards recovering addicts? I've read on here that G-town is, but is there anything else? I'm considering t-30s and up.

Thanks in advanced, everyone; and good luck studying!

[Ded Precedent]

Your final LSAC GPA will be what the school will consider. Your upward trend will be treated as a light soft, so if you're right on the line numbers wise they might take it into consideration, otherwise it's not likely they will. As far as your arrests go, if they're behind you far enough and you've taken the proper steps that can show (on paper) that you've been rehabilitated to a degree, I don't see your arrests being a huge factor nor will your struggle be seen as any sort of bump. Your situation is really pretty unique so I'm guessing you'll have a pretty unpredictable cycle. My suggestion would be to send out a lot of applications (more than most people would) and hope for the best.

Good luck.

[Rollontheground]

Thanks for your advice. I'll do so.

[NoodleyOne]

3.54 can get you all the t14 outside of hys with a good lsat. Crush lsat, get t14 scholly.